GB2321909A

GB2321909A - Ironing board with storage compartment for iron

Info

Publication number: GB2321909A
Application number: GB9625083A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Basil Lloyd Rennis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1996-12-03
Filing date: 1996-12-03
Publication date: 1998-08-12
Also published as: GB9625083D0

Abstract

An ironing board (10) includes a compartment in which an iron may be stored whilst it is not in use. The compartment is situated towards one end of the board (10), within an enclosure (12), which is closable by a lid (14). The lid also provides a resting place for the iron when the iron is in use. The storage compartment is arranged so that the flex of the iron may be coiled around the compartment when the iron is not in use, and an aperture is provided through a wall of the enclosure (12) through which the flex may extend when the iron is used. An electrical connector may also be provided within the enclosure (12) to provide a more practical flex arrangement when the iron is in use.

Description

Ironinq Board The present invention relates to an ironing board.

I have noted that although ironing boards have been in common usage for very many years, it has always been necessary to disconnect the iron and store it separately from the ironing board.

I have now devised an ironing board which provides a clear advantage in this respect.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an ironing board which includes a compartment in which the iron may be stored.

In use of this ironing board, the iron can be quickly and conveniently placed in the storage compartment at the end of a session of ironing. The ironing board and iron can then be stored away together. At the start of the next session of ironing, it is an easy and quick matter to retrieve the iron from its storage compartment, ready for use.

Preferably the storage compartment for the iron is provided at an end of the ironing board, underneath the flat top of the ironing board. Preferably the storage compartment is accessible under a lid, on which in use the iron normally rests.

Preferably the storage compartment is positioned within an enclosure which is closed by the lid, and arranged so that the flex for the iron can be coiled around the storage compartment.

Preferably the plug at the free end of the flex of the iron is engaged with an electrical connector positioned in the storage enclosure, a further flex being provided to run from this connector to a mains socket. When the iron is in use, both flexes extend through an opening in a wall of the enclosure; for storage, both flexes are coiled within the storage enclosure.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of the storage compartment of the ironing board of Figure 1, shown with its top open and with the iron stored within the compartment; and FIGURE 3 is a similar view of the storage compartment, shown broken away to reveal details of its construction.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an ironing board which comprises a flat top 10, one end of which is tapered in conventional manner. At the opposite end of the top 10, an enclosure 12 is provided having a pivoted lid 14. The ironing board further comprises foldable support legs 16, 18 of conventional form: thus, the support legs 16, 18 comprise U-shaped frames which are pivoted to each other part-way along their lengths, with one of the legs pivoted at its top to the underside of the top 10 of the ironing board and the top of the second leg releasably engaged with a stop on the underside of the top 10 of the ironing board. The top of the second leg can therefore be released from its stop, and the legs then folded up against the underside of the top 10 of the ironing board, the leg 18 fits around the outside of the enclosure 14.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lid 14 of the enclosure 12 can be pivoted open to enable the iron 20 to be placed into or removed from a compartment 22 provided within the enclosure 12. An opening 24 is formed at the outer end of the compartment 22, in which the flex 21 of the iron can extend, the remainder of the flex being laid on the floor of the enclosure 12, around the compartment 22.

As shown in Figure 3, the plug 26 at the free end of the flex 21 of the iron is engaged with a connector 28, the flex 29 of which can also be laid on the floor of the enclosure 12, around the compartment 22. However, in using the iron, the flex 24 is located to extend through an opening 15 in the outer end of the enclosure 12 and a plug at the free end of the flex 29 is inserted into a mains socket: the iron itself is removed from the enclosure 12 and its flex laid in the opening 15 before the lid 14 is closed.

It will be appreciated that it is a guide and easy matter to place the iron in the compartment 22 at the end of a session of ironing, so that the ironing board and iron can be stored away together. It is then equally quick and easy, at the start of the next session of ironing, to retrieve the iron from its storage, ready for use.

Claims

1) An ironing board which includes a compartment in which the iron may be stored.

2) An ironing board as claimed in claim 1, in which said compartment is provided at an end thereof, underneath the flat top thereof.

3) An ironing board as claimed in claim 2, in which said compartment is accessible under a lid on which, in use of the iron, the iron normally rests.

4) An ironing board as claimed in claim 3, in which said compartment is positioned within an enclosure which is closed by said lid, and arranged so that a flex for the iron can be coiled around said compartment.

5) An ironing board as claimed in claim 4, in which an electrical connector is provided in said enclosure, for engagement by a plug of said flex for the iron, a further flex being provided to run from said connector to a mains socket.

6) An ironing board as claimed in claim 5, in which a wall of said enclosure is formed with an aperture through which, in use of the iron, said flexes extend.

7) An ironing board substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.