EP1612321A1 - Ironing device comprising an iron and a portable base having a protection shield - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has an iron and a portable base comprising a space for locating the iron. The portable base has a protecting shutter (4) that occupies an open position in which inner and outer shutter units (41, 42) are retracted with respect to each other and disposed laterally in the space and a closed position in which the shutter units are deployed with respect to each other to cover the iron when the iron is located in the space.

Description

The present invention relates to an ironing apparatus comprising an iron and a portable base comprising a location for placing the iron when it is not in use and relates more particularly to an apparatus comprising a protective flap by the base and folding on the iron for storage or transport of the ironing device.

It is known from the document ES 1 055 003 U, a steam generator comprising a portable base provided with a suitable location for placing an iron fed steam under pressure by the base. This document also discloses the presence of a protective cover hinged on the base and folding on the iron for storage. However, such a protective flap has the disadvantage of being particularly bulky and requires the presence of a complex hinge to clear enough access to the location to put the iron when the flap is open. In addition, such a component has the disadvantage of generating a bulky base if it is desired that the component remains visually integrated with the base when it is in the open position. This problem is even more important when it is desired to have, at the location to place the iron, an inclined resting plane so as to obtain a better ergonomics of use, such an arrangement requiring a large clearance volume in look at the location.

Also, an object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing an ironing apparatus comprising a portable base provided with a location for placing an iron in which the portable base comprises a protective flap whose size is optimized in open position allowing a perfect integration with the base and to cover a large area once closed.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an ironing apparatus comprising an iron and a portable base comprising a location for placing the iron at ironing, characterized in that the base comprises a protective flap comprising a plurality of retractable flap elements, the flap being able to occupy an open position in which the different flap elements are retracted on one another and arranged laterally at the location for laying the iron so as to allow access to the latter and a closed position in which the shutter elements are deployed relative to each other so as to cover at least partially the iron when the latter rests on the location.

An ironing apparatus provided with such a protective flap has the advantage of covering a large surface when it is in the closed position and of covering a smaller surface when it is in the open position, thus allowing a better integration into the body. from the base in this last position.

According to another characteristic of the ironing apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus is a steam generator, the portable base containing a tank for producing steam under pressure and the iron being supplied with steam by the tank. .

According to yet another feature of the invention, in the open position, the shutter elements are folded over an area of the body of the base which matches the inner shape of the shutter elements so that, in this position, the shutter elements are located in close proximity to the body of the base so as to be visually integrated with it.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the flap comprises connecting means between the different shutter elements so that the latter deploy substantially uniformly or retract automatically on each other when acting on a single shutter elements to respectively close or open the shutter.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the connecting means consist of stops carried by the shutter elements.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the location for laying the iron is constituted by an inclined plane on which comes to rest the soleplate of the iron. Such a feature has the advantage of providing ergonomics Optimized device usage, offering both excellent visibility of the location and a better position for iron gripping.

According to yet another characteristic of the invention, the various shutter elements have a U-shaped cross section and connecting arms presenting, longitudinally, the shape of a circular sector, the tapered end of the connecting arms being pivotally mounted around of the same axis.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the flap consists of two pivoting shutter elements.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the plane for laying the iron is inclined of the order of 30 ° with respect to the lower plane of the base and the connecting arms of the two pivoting shutter elements extend angularly on substantially 50.degree. °.

According to another characteristic of the invention, one of the shutter elements comprises a notch for the passage of a power cable iron.

According to another characteristic of the invention, one of the shutter elements comprises a carrying handle.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the carrying handle is retractable in the shutter element and is accessible only when the various shutter elements are in the closed position of the protective shutter, the handle being covered by a shutter elements when the protective shutter is in the open position.

Such a feature has the advantage of allowing the transport of the ironing apparatus by means of the carrying handle only when the shutter is closed, thus ensuring greater safety during transport.

According to another characteristic of the invention, at least one of the shutter elements is made of a transparent plastic material.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un générateur de vapeur selon un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention lorsque le volet de protection est en position ouverte ;
• la figure 2 est une vue semblable à la figure 1 de la base du générateur représentée seule, sans le fer à repasser ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective partiellement éclatée de la base du générateur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective du générateur de vapeur de la figure 1 lorsque le volet est en position fermée.
• Les figures 5a à 5c sont des vues de côté du générateur de la figure 1 illustrant les différentes étapes de fermeture du volet de protection.

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 accompanying drawings in FIG. which :

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a steam generator according to a particular embodiment of the invention when the protective flap is in the open position;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 of the base of the generator shown alone, without the iron;
• Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the base of the generator of Figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the steam generator of Figure 1 when the flap is in the closed position.
• Figures 5a to 5c are side views of the generator of Figure 1 illustrating the different steps of closing the protective flap.

Only the elements necessary for the understanding of the invention have been represented. To facilitate the reading of the drawings the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

FIG. 1 represents an ironing apparatus, of the steam generator type, conventionally comprising an iron 1 resting on a portable base 2 incorporating a tank for producing steam under pressure, not shown in the figures.

The iron 1 is conventionally provided with a heating soleplate 10 and is connected to the base by a flexible cord 3 incorporating electrical supply son of the heating soleplate and a steam supply conduit of the iron soleplate.

The base 2 has a flat bottom surface 20 and has, above this surface, seen from the side, a substantially circular contour which is locally truncated to define an inclined plane 21 constituting the location for resting the iron 1, such a configuration having the advantage of great ergonomics of use. Advantageously, the inclination of the inclined plane 21 is of the order of 30 ° relative to the horizontal.

As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 2, the inclined plane has three protruding runners 22 for thermally insulating the base of the hot soleplate of the iron 1 and has two lateral skids 23 making it possible to immobilize laterally the front tip of the sole 10 on the inclined plane 21.

The base 2 comprises, at the foot of the inclined plane 21, a rising portion forming a bumper 24 on which rests the heel of the iron when the iron is placed on the inclined plane, the stopper 24 advantageously having a rounded shape that fits into the a cavity 11 of the heel of the iron 1 so as to laterally immobilize the latter.

The base 2 also comprises, on the back of the stopper 24, a control panel 25 of the steam generator and encloses in the space under the inclined plane 21, a removable tank 26, better visible in Figure 3, for supplying water the tank of the generator.

More particularly according to the invention, the base 2 comprises a protective flap 4 in two elements 41, 42 retractable one on the other made of transparent plastic material such as plexiglass.

Each element 41, 42 of the flap 4 comprises two link arms 41a, 42a interconnected by an arcuate portion 41b, 42b, the link arms 41a, 42a generally having a side view, in the form of a circular sector whose tapered end is pivotally mounted on the base by means of a hinge 5 disposed substantially midway between the two longitudinal ends of the base 2 and halfway between the lower surface 20 and the inclined plane 21 from base 2.

The elements 41, 42 of the protective shutter 4 thus formed have a U-shaped cross-section and one of the two elements of the shutter, called the outer shutter element 41, has slightly larger dimensions than the other element, called a shutter element. 42, so that the outer flap member 41 can retract on the inner flap member 42.

The dimensions of the inner flap member 42 are adapted so that the latter comes to match the outer contour of the base 2 around the inclined plane 21, having dimensions slightly greater than the latter. The inner flap element 42 can thus pivot around the inclined plane 21 and be positioned around the zone of the base 2 integrating the reservoir 26, the profile substantially circular exterior of the base 2 at this location being centered on the pivot axis of the hinges 5 of the shutter elements 41, 42.

Preferably, an automatic locking device, not shown in the figures, is integrated in the hinge 5 and ensures the locking of the shutter elements 41, 42 in the closed position, an unlocking button 51 being provided in the center of the hinge 5 to disable the locking device and allow the opening of the shutter elements 41, 42 by the user. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the unlocking button 51 may also be advantageously separated from the hinge 5, so that the clearance necessary for the operation of the unlocking button does not create an additional game at the hinge.

Advantageously, each shutter element 41, 42 angularly covers a sector of the order of 50 ° so that the shutter elements 41, 42 are retracted completely on the area of the base 2 incorporating the reservoir 26 when the protective flap 4 is open and cover substantially all of the iron 1 disposed on the location 21 when the protective flap 4 is closed.

According to FIG. 3, presenting the protective flap 4 in a partially exploded view, the outer flap 41 and inner 42 elements comprise abutments 43, 44 which cooperate with one another so that the inner flap element 42 is driven. in rotation by the outer flap member 41 with a small overlap between the two flap members 41, 42 when the outer flap member 41 is manipulated in the closing direction.

The outer flap member 41 also has inwardly extending stops 45 which cooperate with the rim of the inner flap member 42 to rotate the flap member 42 with an almost total overlap of the member. inner flap 42, when the outer flap member 41 is manipulated in the opening direction.

Finally, the inner flap element 42 is provided with a stop 46, visible in FIG. 2, extending towards the inside of the protective flap 4 to limit the rotational path of the inner flap element 42, when the protective shutter 4 is open, coming to bear on the periphery of the inclined plane 21.

According to Figures 3 and 4, the outer face of the inner flap member 42 has a cavity 47 serving as a housing for storing a handle 6 transport, the handle 6 being pivotally mounted along a longitudinal axis and can be deployed vertically, out of its housing, for transporting the generator, or horizontally in its housing to allow the opening of the protective shutter 4.

The cavity 47 is preferably located on the top of the inner flap element 42 so that the handle 6 is substantially vertical to the center of gravity of the steam generator when the flap 4 is closed.

According to FIG. 4, the edge of the outer shutter element 41 that first covers the iron 1 when the shutter 4 is closed is provided with a notch 48 allowing the flexible cord 3 disposed on the upper part of the shutter to pass through. heel of the iron 1, the edge of the outer flap member 41 on either side of the notch 48 coming laterally to cover the heel of the iron 1.

Figures 5a to 5c illustrate the different phases of deployment of the protective flap 4 from the open position of the flap 4 to the closed position. According to these figures, when the user manipulates the outer shutter element 41 in the closing direction, the latter pivots alone until the stops 43 carried by the latter come into contact with the stops 44 of the element interior shutter 42.

Continued tilting movement of the outer flap member 41 in the closing direction then rotates the inner flap member 42 which then accompanies, in its pivotal movement, the outer flap member 41 retaining a low overlap between the two shutter elements 41, 42.

When the two shutter elements 41, 42 are fully deployed, as shown in Figure 5c, the user can then extract the handle 6 from its housing for the transport of the generator. The handle 6 in vertical position then prevents the folding of the outer shutter element 41 on the element interior shutter 42 thus contributing to increase the safety during transport by preventing the opening of the outer shutter element 41.

Conversely, when opening the protective flap 4, the outer flap member 41 initially retracts on the inner flap member 42 until the abutment 45 of the element outer flap 41 bears against the edge facing the inner flap member 42, then all the inner and outer flap elements are then driven laterally on the base area 2 provided with the reservoir 26.

The steam generator thus produced has the advantage of having a protective flap 4 ensuring very good coverage of the iron 1 in the closed position, preventing the fall of the iron 1 and access to the sole 10 so that the risk of burns by contact with the hot sole during transport or storage of the iron are severely limited.

Conversely, the protective flap has the advantage of being very compact and perfectly integrated with the line of the base in the open position.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given by way of example. Modifications are possible, particularly 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.

Claims (13)

Ironing apparatus comprising an iron (1) and a portable base (2) comprising a location (21) for placing the iron (1), characterized in that said base (2) comprises a protective flap (4) ) comprising a plurality of retractable shutter elements (41, 42), said shutter (4) being able to occupy an open position in which the various shutter elements (41, 42) are retracted on one another and arranged laterally to said location (21) in order to allow access to the latter and a closed position in which the flap elements (41, 42) are deployed relative to each other so as to at least partially cover the iron (1) when the latter rests on said location (21). Ironing appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that said appliance is a steam generator, the portable base (2) enclosing a vessel for producing steam under pressure and the iron (1) being fed with steam by said tank. Ironing apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 2, characterized in that , in the open position, the flap elements (41, 42) are folded over an area of the body of the base (2) which conforms to the inner shape flap members (41, 42) so that in the open position the flap members (41, 42) are in close proximity to the body of the base (2) so as to be visually integrated therewith. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flap (4) comprises connecting means (43, 44, 45) between the different shutter elements (41, 42) so that said flap members (41,42) extend substantially uniformly or retract automatically on each other when acting on only one of the flap members (41,42) to respectively close or open the flap (4) . Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said connecting means are constituted by abutments carried (43, 44, 45) by the shutter elements (41, 42). Ironing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said location for placing the iron (1) is constituted by an inclined plane (21) on which rests the sole (10) of the iron ( 1). Ironing apparatus according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the different flap elements (41, 42) have a U-shaped cross section and connecting arms (41a, 42a) in the form of a circular sector, the tapered end of the connecting arms (41a, 42a) being pivotally mounted about the same axis. Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said flap (4) consists of two pivoting flap elements (41, 42). Ironing appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the plane (21) for placing the iron is inclined at about 30 ° with respect to the lower plane (20) of the base and that the connecting arms ( 41a, 42a) of the two pivoting flap members (41, 42) extend angularly at substantially 50 °. Steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one of the shutter elements (41, 42) has a notch (48) for the passage of a cable (3) for feeding the iron (1). Ironing appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that one of the shutter elements (41, 42) comprises a handle (6) for transport. Ironing appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that said handle (6) of transport is retractable in said shutter member (42) and is accessible only when the various component elements (41, 42) are in the position for closing the flap (4), said handle (6) being covered by one of the flap elements (41) when the flap (4) is in the position opened. Ironing appliance according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the shutter elements (41, 42) consists of a transparent plastic material

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