Body Structure Patents (Class 38/88)
  • Patent number: 8955239
    Abstract: The small clothes iron for use with children's clothes is a small iron when compared to a traditional clothes iron. The small clothes iron resembles a toy train wherein a front surface resembles a face of a toy character while a top surface includes a handle, control buttons, and a chimney/smokestack for refilling a water reservoir. The small clothes iron has a smaller iron surface on a bottom surface, which is useful in ironing small clothes for children and infants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: James T. Wiley
  • Patent number: 8893410
    Abstract: Appliances, methods and systems in which steam can be applied to a fabric and a heated surface can be used to press and/or dry the fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Euro-Pro Operating LLC
    Inventors: Ognjen Vrdoljak, James Russell Varney, Mark Rosenzweig, Peggy Lam
  • Patent number: 8863414
    Abstract: This invention relates to the ironing of fabrics, such as clothes in particular, and provides a compact, light-weight apparatus suitable also for use in various ironing applications. The ironing apparatus comprises first and second fabric-pressing surfaces, supporting arms to which the surfaces are mounted opposite each other, to define a fabric-receiving gap between the surfaces. The supporting arms operate to urge the first surface toward the second, so to narrow the gap from a first, fabric receiving width, to a second, fabric-compressing width effective for exerting crease-reducing pressure on said fabric in the gap, while permitting relative traversing movement between said surfaces and the fabric. The supporting arms may be in the form of a flexible U-shaped member having opposed ends to which the respective pressing surfaces are mounted to be inwardly opposed, and a generally central portion defining a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Waiel Mohamad
  • Patent number: 8590181
    Abstract: An electrical iron comprising: a body; a connector; a cord being connected at a first point to the body and being connected at a second point to the connector; a receiving means that is mounted on the body, and is suitable for receiving the connector, wherein the receiving means includes a means for adjusting the tension the in cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Spectrum Brands (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Simon Saba
  • Patent number: 8151496
    Abstract: This invention discloses a multifunctional electric iron, comprising: a steam brush and a base unit. Said steam brush can be used as a garment steamer by connecting to a power supply or a boiler, and said steam brush also can be used as an ordinary steam iron by assembling with the base unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-hwa Lee, Chien-Chih Pan
  • Publication number: 20120023790
    Abstract: A hand-held cloth iron becomes very hot while in use. Even when cool, it is heavy and has sharp corners. Any of these characteristics can cause injury or damage if the iron falls. An improved iron includes a heel rest connected to the rear of the iron body. One or more permanent magnet pieces embedded in the heel rest produce a magnetic pull force between the magnets and the ferromagnetic steel top of an ironing board when the iron is stood on its heel. The magnets are strong enough to stabilize the iron, even on a board with a padded cover, without impractically impeding the operator's normal ironing motions. The magnetic rear plate can either be coplanar or slightly recessed with respect to the outer surface of the heel rest, and the amount of recess can be made adjustable by mechanical means so that the magnetic pull force between the magnetic heel rest and the ferromagnetic steel top of an ironing board can be adjusted by a user to suit his or her preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Hong S. Yang
  • Publication number: 20100313453
    Abstract: A rotatable iron and garment steamer with rotatable iron, has a main body with an electrical heater and is mounted with a housing. A revolver is rotatably connected to the main body and a handle. A position-limiting mechanism for restricting the rotational amplitude and a resilient positioning mechanism for locking the position of rotational angle are both disposed between the main body and the handle. When the relative position of the handle and the main body is locked, the iron can be used as steam iron; after the main body is sleeved with a brush cover, the handle rotates relative to the main body, and the iron can be used as a steam brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Tsann Kuen (Zhangzhou) Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Chih PAN, Ruifeng CAI
  • Patent number: 7690139
    Abstract: Pressing iron having a body (1) connected to a cord (3), such as a power supply cord, and having a cord guide device (5) giving a preferential orientation to the cord (3) at the exit from the body, the cord guide device (5) being articulated on the body of the iron and being able to rock between a storage position in which the cord guide device (5) is disposed against the body of the iron and an ironing position in which the cord guide device (5) is spaced from the iron, wherein the iron has a magnetic assembly (7) generating a force tending to maintain the cord guide device (5) in storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Claude Germain, Laurent D'Oliviera, Xavier Vacheron
  • Patent number: 7681342
    Abstract: A cordless ironing apparatus includes an iron and an ironing board adapted to be used with the iron. The iron includes a soleplate. The ironing board includes an ironing surface on which fabric is placed and an electromagnetic generator. The electromagnetic generator is adapted to generate an electromagnetic field which generates heat in the soleplate of the iron. Alternatively, the ironing apparatus includes an iron and an induction device which is removable or separate from an ironing board. The induction device includes an electromagnetic generator which is adapted to generate an electromagnetic filed which generates heat in the soleplate of the iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Lung Wai Choi
  • Patent number: 7637041
    Abstract: An electric iron in accordance with a preferred embodiment includes a housing body, a carrying base, and a flexible soleplate. The carrying base is mounted on the bottom of the housing body to define a containing space configured for receiving inner members and a controlling circuit of the electric iron. The flexible soleplate is arranged under the carrying base and transforms an electric energy transmitted from the controlling circuit to a heat energy for generating the high temperature on the surface thereof to perform an ironing function. The electric iron has the flexible soleplate, which has a high heating and dissipating-heat property and a low power property so as to decrease the consume of the electric energy and the whole weight of the electric iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Tsann Kuen Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Jung Pan, Wan-Hua Wu, Ching-Ching Ho, Yi-Hao Lin, Chun-Hsien Wu
  • Patent number: 7614902
    Abstract: A fluorescent task lamp includes a housing assembled from first and second shells for supporting a lens body, first and second CFL bulb receptacles and first and second CFL bulbs; and a strain relief for an AC power cord having an integral hub portion with first and second pivot pins that pivot within first and second opposing pivot bushings formed respectively in each first and second shell in opposite sides of an aperture or cavity for receiving the hub portion therein. The pivoting strain relief permits orienting the power cord so that the lamp may be stood upright upon its base or hung from its hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Bayco Products, Ltd.
    Inventors: Bijan Bayat, James Newton, Gordon L. Treichler
  • Publication number: 20080172914
    Abstract: A glove iron comprises a cloth body and a power unit disposed in the cloth body. The cloth body includes a cloth fiber layer, a heat insulation layer, and an electrothermal fiber layer. The cloth fiber layer forms an accommodating space. The power unit is disposed on the cloth fiber layer, and corresponds to the heat insulation layer and the electrothermal fiber layer. The power unit is electrically connected to and provides power for the electrothermal fiber layer. The electrothermal fiber layer can also be replaced with the combination of an electrothermal membrane and a second cloth fiber layer. A user can use the glove type iron to iron a piece of clothing or material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Wan-Hua Wu, Ching-Ching Ho, Chun-Hsien Wu, Shih-Wei Tung, Yi-Hao Lin
  • Publication number: 20080052971
    Abstract: An apparatus composed of: a steam generating base delimited by a periphery; a fabric smoothing appliance; and a cord connecting the base to the appliance, the cord having a length, a transverse width and a transverse height, the base being provided with a cavity for storing the cord, the cavity having an elongated form and extending in length along the periphery of the base, and the cavity being provided with at least one opening for the introduction of the cord into the cavity. The cavity is defined by a sheath extending in length as a prolongation of the opening for receiving the cord, and the cavity has a transverse cross section adapted to permit passage and maintenance of the cord in the form of a single loop extending along the length of the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Christian Giovalle, Christophe Turck
  • Patent number: 7220362
    Abstract: A method of forming a planarized layer on a substrate, where the substrate is cleaned, and the layer is formed having a surface with high portions and low portions. A resistive mask is formed over the low portions of the layer, but not over the high portions of the layer. The surface of the layer is etched, where the high portions of the layer are exposed to the etch, but the low portions of the layer underlying the resistive mask are not exposed to the etch. The etch of the surface of the layer is continued until the high portions of the layer are at substantially the same level as the low portions of the layer, thereby providing an initial planarization of the surface of the layer. The resistive mask is removed from the surface of the layer, and all of the surface of the layer is planarized to provide a planarized layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: LSI Corporation
    Inventors: Wilbur G. Catabay, Wei-Jen Hsia, Hao Cui
  • Patent number: 7181873
    Abstract: An iron for use while ironing clothes and other fabrics. The iron is a standard iron with a light attached to the front end of the iron, with the light shining downward and forward while the iron is a downward position and is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Inventor: Dorothy Hackethal
  • Patent number: 7062870
    Abstract: An electric flatiron with power cord easily winded up includes a flatiron body which has a base plate and inside an electric heater which heats the base plate, the electric heater is connected with a power cord which extends out of the flatiron body. A hand grip portion is formed upon the flatiron body, the space between the hand grip portion and the flatiron body is used for winding up the power cord. The present invention breaks through the structural design of traditional electric flatiron and abandons the structure of traditional handle. The present invention create a creative design that provides a winding portion between the handle and the flatiron body, which ingeniously makes the handle and the winding up apparatus a integral part and fully utilizes the space between the handle and the flatiron body. Winding apparatus in this design may be easily used and hardly deteriorate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Turning You
  • Patent number: 7040046
    Abstract: A pressing iron having a heating soleplate topped by a body and a handle forming a protuberance on the body of the iron, the body enclosing a reservoir. The handle presents an upper surface forming a bearing surface for the palm of the hand presenting, at least locally, a width greater than or equal to 4 cm and lateral walls extending from the upper surface of the handle to the body of the iron intended to receive the fingertips and the handle integrates a filling orifice for the reservoir opening at a surface of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Fabrice Renault, Dominique Gelus, Edgar Hipp
  • Patent number: 7017290
    Abstract: A pressing iron having, from bottom to top, a heating soleplate, a body delimited by an envelope that contains a water reservoir, and a gripping handle connected to the body. The reservoir is provided with a vent at the rear of the iron and at the top of the reservoir, the iron is provided with an opening situated at the front of the iron above the reservoir, and the iron further has a tube connecting the vent to the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Cedric Bontems, David Hilary Powell, Edgar Hipp, Bernard Dugelay
  • Patent number: 6986218
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of connecting a housing part (1) of an iron to a water tank (2) of the iron. The water tank (2) comprises a top part (3) and a bottom part (4). The method includes a watertight connection between these top and bottom parts. To make a simple and inexpensive connection between the housing part (10) and the water tank parts (3, 4) an edge (15) of the housing part (1), an edge (10) of the top part (3) of the water tank (2) and an edge (8) of the bottom part (4) of the water tank (2) are connected to each other in a single process step by means of mirror welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Kam W. Choy, Siew C. Yeo
  • Patent number: 6917015
    Abstract: An arrangement including an electric iron having a water tank, a steam chamber, and valve for controlling the water flow from the water tank to the steam chamber, a stand for supporting the iron, an electrical connector, and a locking mechanism for locking the connector to the stand or to the iron. When the cordless mode is selected, the electrical connector remains attached to the stand while the iron is detached therefrom, and when the corded mode is selected the connector remains attached to the iron while the iron is detachable from the stand. The arrangement is provided with an actuator acting on the valve for obtaining a higher maximum water flow rate in the corded mode than in the cordless mode. The actuator may be a spring-loaded push rod arranged in the iron, one end thereof cooperating with the connector and the other end thereof cooperating with the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Ban Nee Choo
  • Patent number: 6877260
    Abstract: An iron skirt formed by a blank cut off from a hollow profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Rowenta-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Alban Stützer
  • Patent number: 6807757
    Abstract: The invention relates to an iron having, from the base upwards: a heating soleplate (1); a body (2) which is defined by a casing; and a handle (3), the rear end of which is connected to the body (2) of the iron. The aforementioned handle (3) is connected to the body (2) at the rear end thereof by (5) which extend outwards from the body in an essentially symmetric manner in relation to the mid-place of the iron, thereby creating an open cavity or space therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Cedric Bontems, David Hilary Powell, Edgar Hipp, Bernard Dugelay
  • Patent number: 6389717
    Abstract: A filling orifice structure in a clothes pressing iron having a water reservoir, the structure having: an orifice body providing a filling orifice for filling the reservoir; a closing piece mounted for movement between an open position for opening said filling orifice and a closed position for closing the filling orifice; and at least one sealing joint overmolded onto the orifice body and disposed to provide a fluid seal between the body and the closing piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Rowenta Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Maier, Herbert Horn, Reinhard Ahlers, Ralf Kremer
  • Patent number: 6321472
    Abstract: An iron includes a soleplate and a water tank connected to the soleplate for supplying steam to the soleplate. The water tank includes a cavity for holding water, a fill opening for filling the cavity with water, and a guide arrangement associated with the fill opening. A handle is connected with the water tank. A rear cover is connected to a rear end of the water tank, the rear cover having a rear plate in covering relation to a rear portion of the iron, and the rear plate including an arrangement for stabilizing the iron in an upright position on a soft surface. The arrangement includes a recess in an outer surface of the rear plate, and at least one non-slip foot extending from the outer surface of the rear plate. A fill door is slidably mounted on the guide arrangement between a closed position in covering relation to the fill opening and an open position to permit filling of the cavity with water through the fill opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Stacie L. Perko, Bruce R. Roberts, Mark C. Matthews, Ronald J. Vish
  • Publication number: 20010042327
    Abstract: A filling orifice structure in a clothes pressing iron having a water reservoir, the structure having: an orifice body providing a filling orifice for filling the reservoir; a closing piece mounted for movement between an open position for opening said filling orifice and a closed position for closing the filling orifice; and at least one sealing joint overmolded onto the orifice body and disposed to provide a fluid seal between the body and the closing piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Klaus Maier, Herbert Horn, Reinhard Ahlers, Ralf Kremer
  • Patent number: 6140610
    Abstract: A seaming iron is disclosed for use in carpet repairs requiring a replacement patching plug to be fitted into a cut-out opening in a carpet and attached to carpet surrounding the cut-out opening by hot-melt adhesive seaming tape positioned under the carpet and around a periphery of the cut-out opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Michael A. Siragusa
  • Patent number: 6018897
    Abstract: A mini electric iron includes a housing made of non-metallic material and having a lower portion provided with a receptacle and two openings, a metal base having a flat bottom, a T-shaped mounting having three depending legs secured to an upper side of the metal base thus forming a space between the T-shaped mounting and the metal base the T-shaped mounting being provided with a lug at an entrance of the space, the T-shaped mounting being formed with three threaded holes, a sleeve fitted inside the space, a ceramic heating member fitted inside the sleeve and electrically connected with the receptacle, the ceramic heating member being provided with a sheet of metal at a top and bottom thereof and inserted within an insulating high temperature resistant enclosure, a first screw extending through one of the threaded holes to bear against a top of the sleeve, two second screws extending the two openings and other two of the threaded holes to bear against the top of the sleeve, and a detachable electrical connecto
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Chun-Liang Lin
  • Patent number: 5924225
    Abstract: An iron having a housing with a skirt, a soleplate, and a heating element in the soleplate. The skirt has a molded body comprised of dielectric material. The body has a downwardly extending perimeter rim. A metal plating is adhered directly onto the rim to give an appearance of a metal skirt. The rim includes a base coat, the metal layer and a top coat. The base and top coats on the skirt being baked at particular temperatures and for particular amounts of time for curing and drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen M Hall, John G. Rousso
  • Patent number: 5901481
    Abstract: The present invention is an iron device which is specifically designed for ironing small apparel, such as clothing for infant and/or toddlers. This device comprises a housing having an upper surface and a lower surface. A handle, for maneuvering the device, is secured to the upper surface. An electrically heated soleplate is secured to the lower surface. For easy ironing, the soleplate partially extends the length of the housing for providing for the a portion of the lower surface of the housing to be exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Inventors: Michael E. Simmons, Rose M. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5883358
    Abstract: An electric steam iron for pressing fabrics, which iron includes an ironing sole plate, an electrically operated heating element disposed for heating the sole plate by converting an electric current to heat, and a switch unit for automatically reducing flow of electric current to the heating element when the iron is not in use. The sole plate is formed to have a low heat capacity, and the iron is further provided with a stiffening structure via which the sole plate is fixed in position in the iron, the stiffening structure being permeable to steam and being made of a thermally insulating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: SEB S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Brandolini, Jean-Pierre Debourg
  • Patent number: 5860234
    Abstract: An iron having a housing with a skirt, a soleplate, and a heating element in the soleplate. The skirt has a molded body comprised of dielectric material. The body has a downwardly extending perimeter rim. A chrome plating is adhered directly onto the rim to give an appearance of a metal skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: HP Intellectual Corp.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Hall
  • Patent number: 5799421
    Abstract: A pressing iron comprises a housing made of plastic material in the form of a hollow body having a base (3) whose upper portion (H) has an opening (O) closed by a cover (C) and whose outlet (D) is closed by a pressing block comprising an upper portion (4) and a lower portion (5) having at least one pressing sole (6), and surmounted, in the front and rear portions respectively, by two hollow projections (8 and 9) connected at their upper portion by a cross member (10) forming a handle and constituted by a trough (11) closed by a cover (12). The rear projection (9) has a wide opening closed by a cover (14) forming a heel. The hollow body (2) and the cover (14) are formed by a shell (1) molded in one piece and having a transverse cross section of generally inverted V shape. The trough (11) of the handle and the internal surfaces (8' and 9') of the projections (8 and 9) opening inwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Moulinex S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Bouleau
  • Patent number: 5782021
    Abstract: An iron having a housing with a skirt, a soleplate, and a heating element in the soleplate. The skirt has a molded body comprised of dielectric material. The body has a downwardly extending perimeter rim. A chrome plating is adhered directly onto the rim to give an appearance of a metal skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Hall
  • Patent number: 5768808
    Abstract: A steam iron having a soleplate, a housing, an electric cord extending into the housing through a bushing pivotably mounted to the housing, and a retaining member mounted to the housing. The retaining member has a first section with a snap-off rib that forms a strain relief with the housing for the electric cord. The retaining member also has a second section with a curved portion that forms part of the pivotable connection of the electric cord bushing to the housing. A third section of the retaining member is a cantilevered arm that holds an electronic module against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Czerner, Michael J. Marchetti
  • Patent number: 5732489
    Abstract: An electric iron device that employs indicia markings along both sides of an iron sole-plate used for accurately gauging and pressing any desired width of hem or cuff of a fabric, thereby eliminating the need for basting the fabric prior to pressing. The spaces between the indicia marks are alternately colored to provide an easy visual guide reference when pressing the hem fold to a desired width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventors: Steven D. Udelle, Laura L. Udelle
  • Patent number: 5715617
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of securing a cover plate (6) onto a steam chamber (4) of a steam chamber and is characterized by the following steps:forming recesses (12) in the cover plate (6) in such a manner that cups (13) are formed which project from the surface of the cover plate,fitting the cover plate (6) onto bosses (9) of the soleplate (2) in such a manner that the bosses (9) engage the recesses (12) of the cups (13), andperforming the plastic deformation of the cups (13) and the bosses (9) in such a manner that the cups are connected to the bosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventor: Franciscus C. C. Ros
  • Patent number: 5687493
    Abstract: A steam iron having a soleplate, a housing, an electric cord extending into the housing through a bushing pivotably mounted to the housing, and a retaining member mounted to the housing. The retaining member has a first section with a snap-off rib that forms a strain relief with the housing for the electric cord. The retaining member also has a second section with a curved portion that forms part of the pivotable connection of the electric cord bushing to the housing. A third section of the retaining member is a cantilevered arm that holds an electronic module against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Czerner, George M. Drizos
  • Patent number: 5651201
    Abstract: An iron having a mitt component and a heating element subdivided into at least two portions. A pivot interconnects the at least two portions of the heating element. A reservoir system interconnects a fluid tank to the heating element to enable the iron to possess steam generating capabilities. The mitt is preferably attached to the heating element by an annular crimping portion. The mitt further includes a pocket for receiving the hand of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Inventor: Brent Lee Farley
  • Patent number: 5623775
    Abstract: A water tank is connected to a skirt with a snap-lock connection and a single fastener. The tank has two spaced projections at its rear end that are snapped over a portion of the skirt. A front end of the tank has a rib with a notch that guides the front of the tank onto the skirt. The single fastener connects the front of the tank to the skirt. A steam valve is placed on the steam chamber, through a hole in the skirt, before the water tank is connected to the steam valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Richard I. Farrington, George M. Drizos
  • Patent number: 5619812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heel rest for an iron. More specifically, the heel rest of the present invention, comprises a recess to improve the stability of an iron in its upright position on a soft surface, such as a padded ironing board or carpet. As the iron is placed in the upright position, the weight of the iron presses down upon the soft surface and causes the soft surface located directly under the recess to rise and fill in to the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith J. Hensel, Richard L. Hoare
  • Patent number: 5615500
    Abstract: An iron having a steam chamber cover connected to the soleplate without the use of additional fasteners or adhesives. The soleplate has a raised steam chamber wall. A top of the steam chamber wall has a channel. A rim of the steam chamber cover is positioned in the channel and a portion of the wall is deformed to sealingly lock the rim in the channel. The cover can also be stamped towards the soleplate to press the cover against ribs of the soleplate inside the steam chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Farhad Moalem, Benjamin H. Bain, Jr., Joseph J. Caselli
  • Patent number: 5408769
    Abstract: An electric iron includes an electrically heated soleplate and a housing including a handle portion and a saddle portion. A thermostat is mounted on the soleplate for sensing the temperature thereof. An actuator is rotatably connected to the thermostat for establishing an operating temperature for the soleplate. A track is formed in the saddle portion of the housing. The track extends arcuately in a horizontal plane through the skirt and has a vertical slope. A control member is movably retained within the track. A linkage interconnects the control member to the actuator for converting the combined arcuate and vertical movement of the control member to rotational movement of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth H. Patrick
  • Patent number: 5390433
    Abstract: To accommodate user preferences, an electric pressing iron has a cord guard partly confined within a chamber in the body of the iron that is rotatable into positions in which it extends vertically upwardly, to one side of the iron, or the other side of the iron. Detents formed by confronting surfaces on the iron body frictionally retain the cord guard in the desired position. To enhance the stability of the iron when in an upright orientation, its rear cover has outwardly and rearwardly extending flanges surrounding a recessed center panel. These flanges include side flanges having wavy rearmost edges that further contribute to the stability of the iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Brady
  • Patent number: 5250139
    Abstract: A lighted bonding iron having a heating unit which defines a plane. A handle is mounted to the heating unit. First and second light sources are incorporated in the handle. The light sources project nonintersecting beams obliquely toward the plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventor: David W. Hall
  • Patent number: 5220738
    Abstract: A steam iron, particularly of the so called "drop-by-drop" type, where in order to cause an instantaneous steam production, the water which is contained in a reservoir (11) incorporated in the iron falls drop-by-drop into a vaporization chamber (2) provided in the inner side of the sole plate (1) of the iron in registry with the heating resistance of the sole plate (1), the so-generated steam being conveyed outwards through holes (7) in the sole plate (1). The iron is constituted by two parts (1,10) which are releasably fastened to each other by a latching device. One of the parts forms the body (10) of the iron, with the handle (110), the water reservoir (11), a portion of the latch, and the portion of the electrical connector with the diverting lug, while the other part forms the sole plate (1) of the iron with the electrical resistance, vaporization chamber (2), another portion of the latch, and the other portion of the electrical connector with the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Lapo Baldacci
  • Patent number: 5210395
    Abstract: An electric iron includes a handle having first and second members. Electronic components are mounted in a first one of the handle members. An electrostatic protection carrier is mounted in the second of the handle members. The electrostatic discharge protection carrier includes a first electrically conductive track extending parallel to and lying adjacent a first section of a seam formed by joining said first and second handle members. A second electrically conductive track extends parallel to and is spaced from said first track and extends parallel to and lies adjacent a second section of the seam. A third electrically conductive track interconnects the first and second tracks. An electrical conductor is connected to a selected one of the first or second tracks and to a portion of the iron normally held at a relatively low potential for transmitting any electrostatic discharge voltage collected by said electrostatic discharge protection carrier to said low potential iron portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Arthur H. Freeman
  • Patent number: 5146700
    Abstract: An electrical steam iron having a housing for mounting of the components of the iron including an electrical heating element, a steam generating chamber, temperature controls, and a handle. A sole plate member made of ceramic material is mounted on the bottom of an aluminum connecting shoe portion of the housing by a resilient sealing and connecting material bonded between the connecting shoe portion and the sole plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: Coors Technical Ceramics Company
    Inventor: Albert C. Prosser
  • Patent number: 5094021
    Abstract: An ultrasonic iron comprises a metal ironing plate fixedly mounted therein, ultrasonic vibrators and amplitude amplifiers, and a power adjusting circuit provided on suitable inner side thereof, so that the power adjusting circuit is capable of driving the ultrasonic vibrator as to resonate the ironing plate with a high frequency as soon as the ultrasonic iron is switched on. Heat energy is thereby quickly and directly produced between the contact surface of the ironing plate and the clothes when the ultrasonic iron is moved on the clothes back and forth. The heat energy required for the pressing of clothes is available immediately upon the onset of operation of the iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Inventor: Su-Min Chen
  • Patent number: 5079823
    Abstract: A process for closing an evaporation chamber of an electrically heated steam iron having a sole member, an evaporation chamber fixedly connected to the sole member and closable by a lid, said evaporation chamber having a vertical steam chamber wall with a top surface on which rivets with a substantially frustoconical rivet base are cast, and the lid having rivet holes associated with each rivet, the cross-section of each rivet hole being equal to or greater than the cross-section of the base of the rivet associated with the rivet hole, the process including the steps of: placing the lid on the top surface of the steam chamber wall, subjecting a rivet-hole edge portion of each rivet hole to pressure of a ring stamp, increasing the pressure of the ring stamp until the flow limit of the lid material is exceeded, this flow limit being lower than that of the material of the sole member, releasing the ring stamp after permanent deformation of the rivet-hole edge portion, clinching the rivet, and deforming the free
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1992
    Assignee: Rowenta-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Walter, Emil Steinebrunner
  • Patent number: 5074066
    Abstract: A cordless iron which includes an iron body and a rest upon which the iron body is mounted when the ironing is not being done, the iron body including a soleplate and a steam chamber both heated through electrical connection effected by the mounting of the iron body on the rest, the steam ejection being stopped when the iron body is mounted on the rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1991
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chikashi Sakano, Seiichi Nakada, Toyohiko Yagi, Takahisa Tsuji