GB2461529A

GB2461529A - Ironing board and platform

Info

Publication number: GB2461529A
Application number: GB0812034A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Darius Rezza Toutounchian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-01
Filing date: 2008-07-01
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Also published as: WO2010001121A1; GB0812034D0

Abstract

The ironing board includes an ironing surface and legs 120 to support the ironing surface. The platform 205 is coupled to the ironing board beneath the ironing surface and is arranged to support a base unit of a steam generator type iron. In one embodiment the legs of the ironing board cross at a shaft 130 and the platform couples to the shaft. The platform may be further supported by a brace 206 resting on one of the legs. The ironing board may also include an iron rest 150.

Description

IRONING BOARD

Technical Field

The present invention relates to ironing boards and ironing tables, and more specifically to improvements to the robustness, and ease and speed of use.

Background Art

Figure 1 shows a conventional ironing board 1 comprising an ironing surface 10 supported by a pair of legs 20, 22. The legs 20, 22 extend from the underside of the ironing surface to a pivot 30 and further to feet 40. At the pivot 30 the legs meet in a crossed scissor-like configuration. There are four feet 40 formed at the ends of the pair of legs 20, 22. Adjacent to one end of the ironing surface 10 is an iron rest 50 on which the iron can be placed, and that is not damaged by the heat of the iron.

Commonly, one of the legs is rotatably coupled to the underside of the ironing surface, and the other leg is slidably coupled to the underside of the ironing board. This arrangement allows the ironing board to be collapsed by the user for storage. The collapse of the ironing board is achieved by the movement of the legs which allows the ironing board 1 to be stored in a narrow flat space. To provide a robust surface for ironing, the legs 20, 22 must be held firmly in position when the ironing board is in the upright position for use shown in figure 1.

Figure 2 shows two arrangements used on conventional ironing boards to allow the legs to collapse down flat.

Figure 2a shows the underside of a conventional ironing board 1 and how the pair of legs are coupled to the underside. Leg 22 is arranged to rotate about a fixed pivot attached to the underside of the bar. The other leg 20 has a cross beam 65 at the top end of the leg. The cross beam is arranged between a pair of slide surfaces 70. By sliding the cross beam 65 in the direction of the arrow 75, the height of the ironing surface can be adjusted. By sliding the cross beam further in the direction of the arrow 75, the legs will close flat against the underside of the ironing surface. In figure 2a, the position of the cross beam 65 can be fixed by the lever arm 80. The lever arm is pivoted at its centre.

Towards the one end of the lever arm 80 are a series of hooks 82 (two shown in figure 2a) which the cross beam fits into. The hooks 82 prevent the cross beam 65 and legs 20, 22 from sliding and the ironing board collapsing. The hook restraining the cross beam can be released by moving the handle at the other end of the lever arm towards the ironing surface. Conveniently, the handle is biased away from the ironing surface, and the required releasing motion is a squeezing of the handle toward the ironing surface. This causes the lever arm to pivot and the cross beam is released from the hook to allow the ironing board to be collapsed flat.

The stability and robustness of the position of the ironing surface is important when the ironing board is used with a steam generator iron rather than a conventional iron.

Such steam generator irons include a large base unit that is filled with 1 to 2 litres of water. The steam generator base unit also has a larger footprint than conventional irons. As mentioned in figure 1, the ironing board has an iron rest 50 located adjacent to one end of the ironing surface. Some manufacturers make ironing boards compatible with steam generator irons by providing an iron rest 50 that has a footprint large enough to accommodate the steam generator.

Many manufacturers do not make ironing boards that are compatible with steam generators. In such cases the user is forced to have a small table or work surface next to the ironing board on which to place the steam generator.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an ironing board or ironing table, comprising: an ironing surface; legs to support the ironing surface; and a platform coupled beneath the ironing surface and adapted to support a steam generator base unit. Advantageously, having the platform at a height below the ironing surface lowers the centre of gravity of the ironing board and steam generator combination.

The ironing board may further comprise an iron rest adjacent to a first end of the ironing surface, the platform located below the first end of the ironing surface.

The ironing surface has a first end and a second end, the second end may have an ironing surface with a reduced width compared to the centre of the board. The second end may be shaped for ironing the shoulder yoke of shirts and the seat of trousers or pants. The platform may be located below the first end of the ironing surface. The platform may also be located at the end of the ironing board having an iron rest.

The legs cross at a shaft, and the platform may be coupled to the shaft. The platform may be comprised of one or more arms or elongate panels, each coupled to the shaft, or alternatively may comprise a tray. The arms may be coupled to the shaft by hooks. The platform may be comprised of two arms joined by a U-shaped brace, said brace arranged to rest on one of the legs to support the platform.

One of the legs may include a keeper against which the brace is arranged to bear and support the platform. The keeper may comprise a hook, pip, pin, barb, or hole. The keeper may be mounted on a plate attached to a leg, the plate may be arranged to rotate to move the position of the keeper.

The platform may be adapted to be removable from the ironing board. The platform may also be added to fold away flat when the ironing board is folded for storage.

The present invention also provides a platform or tray for attachment to an ironing board and adapted to support a steam generator when attached to the ironing board, the platform or tray comprising coupling means for attaching the platform or tray to the ironing board.

The coupling means may be hooks for coupling to the shaft of an ironing board where the legs cross. The platform may be formed of two elongate panels coupled together by a brace, said brace provided to support the platform when fitted to an ironing board. The brace may be U-shaped and may be arranged to pivot about the panels.

Alternatively, the platform may be suspended from the ironing surface of the ironing board, from one or more legs, from the pivot shaft at which the legs cross, or a combination of any number of these.

Preferably, the platform or tray may be arranged to be used with conventional ironing boards, or ironing boards adapted to be compatible with the platform or tray.

Optionally, one of the legs of the ironing board may be formed as a parallel pair thereby providing additional structure to support the steam generator platform or tray.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention, along with aspects of the prior art, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 illustrates an ironing board of the prior art; Figure 2a shows the mechanism for locking the legs of an ironing board in open and retracted positions according

to a first prior art example;

Figures 2b and 2c are detailed views of the mechanism for locking the legs of an ironing board in open and retracted position according to a second prior art example; Figure 3 is an isometric perspective view of an ironing board according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows the ironing board from the underside, with legs open; Figure 5 shows the ironing board of an embodiment of the current invention including a steam generator platform; Figures 6a, 6b, 6c show in detail the coupling means for attaching the steam generator platform to an ironing board; Figure 7 shows the underside of the ironing board with the legs in the retracted position and steam generator platform fitted; Figure 8 shows a steam generator platform according to a second embodiment; Figure 9 shows a steam generator platform according to a third embodiment; Figure 10 shows a steam generator platform coupled to an ironing board and according to a fourth embodiment; and Figure 11 shows the steam generator platform of figure with supports to couple the platform to the ironing board.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 3 shows an ironing board 100 having an ironing surface 110 and three linear legs 120, 122a, 122b. These may be circular or square tubes, solid, or preferably of rectangular cross-section. Two of the legs 122a, 122b are fixed parallel to each other. The third leg 120 passes between the two legs 122a, 122b. At the end of each of the legs are feet 140, 142. The feet extend laterally from the legs to provide widely spaced points where the feet touch the floor. Spacing the feet more widely than the legs increases the stability of the ironing board. The feet may extend perpendicularly to the legs or may be curved as shown in figure 3. At the ends of the feet where contact is made with the floor, pads may be provided. Legs 122a, l22b are parallel and the positions where the legs meet foot 142 are slightly spaced apart.

The legs 120, 122a, l22b meet at a pivot 130 comprised of a circular shaft passing perpendicularly through the legs. Spacing the legs apart on the pivot rod 130 are spacers 132. The pivot rod 130 is held in position by nuts or other fastening means on the end of the rod. The legs can pivot with respect to each other about the pivot, though legs 122a, 122b are fixed together at the foot and cannot move with respect to each other.

At the top of the legs is provided ironing surface 110.

The ironing surface may be supported on a frame. The legs may be connected to the underside of the frame by the prior art means described above, or by further means described below. One of the legs will be pivotally coupled to the underside of the ironing surface or frame, whereas the other leg is able to both pivot and slide. In the current embodiment, legs 122a, 1222b are pivotally coupled, whereas leg 120 can both slide and pivot. In some embodiments, the arrangement may be reversed. The pivotable and slidable arrangement for the legs means that the ironing board can be conveniently folded away. That is, the legs 120 that slide and are locked in the position shown in figure 3 for ironing, can be released. The top of the leg 120 can be slid in the direction of arrow 115. As this happens the legs close in a scissor-like manner, the pivot 130 moving closer to the underside of the ironing surface 110 until the legs lie parallel with ironing surface and frame.

In the currently described embodiment, the ironing surface is based on, but is different to, a normal ironing board shape, that is of an elongate or rectangular shape.

The elongate shape has two long sides 131 that are linear along the majority of their length, a short side 132, and a tip 130. Adjacent to the short side 132 may be an iron rest for resting the iron when hot or temporarily not in use.

The surface of the ironing board may be formed of a metal base covered by fabric, optionally, the metal base may be supported by the frame as described above.

Figure 4 shows a view of the underside of an ironing board of figure 3. This view is a plan view of the ironing board when it is in the upright position. The legs are shown in their open position ready for use of the ironing board.

This view shows some of the features of the mechanism used for restraining the legs in the open or closed position.

That is, the open position for ironing, and the closed position for storage of the ironing board. Legs 120, 122a, l22b are shown in figure 4. As described above, the legs 122a, 122b are coupled by a pivot 270 to the board. Leg 120 meets legs 122a, l22b at pivot rod 130. The top of leg 120 slides in channel 290. Within case 300 on the underside of the ironing surface there is provided a leg restraint mechanism, or braking mechanism, for holding the leg 120 in the desired position. The mechanism is actuated by a handle 280 located in the case 300. The braking mechanism can be a series of hooks arranged on a pivot bar extending towards the handle. The hooks engage with a cross-member connected to the top of the leg 120. The cross-member slides in a pair of channels supporting each end of the cross-member. As the leg 120 slides with respect to the ironing surface, the working height of the ironing board can adjusted. If the leg is slid such that cross-member is pushed fully to the left of figure 4, the legs will be closed against the underside of the ironing surface. In this position, the ironing board is ready f or storage.

To release the hooks, the handle is squeezed towards the ironing surface. This causes the pivot bar to rotate.

The hooks then move free from the cross-member allowing the leg 120 to slide. Legs 122a, 122b are connected to the leg by a pivot, and also connected to the underside of the ironing surface by a further pivot. The legs open and close in a scissor-like configuration.

Although the embodiment described above has three legs, it is also possible that embodiments may incorporate two legs, or more than three legs. If only two legs are included, this may be achieved by removing one of the legs 122a or l22b. In such a case the pivot will only pass through the two legs.

Figure 5 shows the ironing board of figure 3 with a platform on which to stand a steam generator base unit. The platform may be arranged to be removable for storage, and may also be arranged to fold flat when the ironing board is folded flat for storage.

The steam generator platform of figure 5 comprises a pair of arms 205, each arm being long and flat. The arms are supported by hooks 207 and support rod or brace 206. The hooks are rotatably coupled to one end of each of arm. Each arm 205 is provided with a pair of hooks 207 which hook around pivot rod 130. As described above, the legs 120, 122 meet and cross at the pivot rod 130. The legs may be spaced apart by spacers 132. These spacers may be shaped for hooks to locate around. At the ends of the pivot rod 130, there may be provided a cap 208 over which hooks fit. The hooks are shown in more detail in figures 12a and 12b. The hooks 207 may be rotatably coupled to the arms 205 by a dowel or pin type arrangement, or a hinge. Each cap 208 and spacer 132 is arranged to engage with the hook. Each cap and spacer is provided with a part having a first diameter, and a part having a second diameter. For the caps this means that the larger diameter part is at the outer most part of the cap and at the end of the pivot rod. The hook has corresponding parts of differing diameters to engage with the cap. Thus, the pair of hooks 207 shown in figure 12a have at the outside, a first diameter. The first diameter is larger than the diameter of the hook part closest to the arm 205.

When the hook 207 is engaged with the cap, the hook is retained on the cap and cannot slide off the cap.

The arms 205 are further supported by support rod or brace 206, which consists of U-shaped rod extending from one arm to the other. In the embodiment shown in figure 5, the brace 206 is coupled approximately one third of the way along the arm from the hooks. In alternative embodiments, the brace may connect to the arms at a different point. The brace 206 is coupled to the arms such that it can rotate with respect to the arms. In use the brace rests against the -10 -leg 120 and is supported by pin 210. Pin 210 may be formed directly by metal pressing the leg. Alternatively, a tab may be cut in the leg and bent to form a hook in which the brace rests. In figure 6, the brace 206 is held in position against the leg by one of two pins 210. The two pins 210 are formed in a plate 2lla attached to the leg. Two pins are provided in case the ironing surface is used at different heights. A lower ironing surface will have legs at an angle slightly closer to the horizontal and hence, to maintain the steam generator platform 201 horizontal the brace will need to meet the leg at a lower point. The lower pin is provided for times when the ironing surface is at a lower position than normal. In an alternative embodiment, plate 211b attached to leg is provided with only one pin 210. If height adjustment is required to maintain the ironing platform horizontal, the plate can be rotated about point A to position the pin lower.

The steam generator platform is manufactured of steel, aluminium or other suitably rigid material to be able to accommodate the 3-6Kg weight of a steam generator base unit filled with 1-2 litres of water.

Preferably, the platform is provided toward the same end of the ironing board as the iron rest 150. This means that when the iron from the steam generator is not in use, the iron can be temporarily placed on the iron rest.

Advantageously, having the steam generator platform supported by the legs and located at a height below the ironing surface means that the centre of mass of the ironing board with steam generator will be significantly lower than for prior art systems. The lower centre of mass will result in the ironing board, when used in conjunction with a steam generator, being more stable than conventional ironing -11 -boards which have the steam generator mounted at the same height as the ironing surface.

Some known ironing boards have a tray on which ironed washing may be placed. This tray is below the ironing surface, often at the height where the legs cross. However, to avoid the ironed clothing becoming entangled with the flex, or power cord, or the iron, such platforms are always located at the end of the ironing board having the tip and not the iron rest 50. Such trays are not suitable for accommodating steam generators as they, will not support the weight of such devices.

The platform 201 may be detachable for storage when the ironing board is folded away. However, it is not necessary to detach the platform 201 because it can also fold flat with the ironing board as shown in figure 7. To fold the platform flat, the brace 20 is lifted away from the pin 210.

Then, as the legs of ironing board are folded flat, the platform will rotate flat against the legs 122a, l22b. The configuration shown in figure 5 is formed of two arms 205 with a gap there between. The arms are parallel to and in line with the legs l22a, 122b. In the folded position shown in figure 13 the leg 120 lies between the two arms 205 and two legs 122a, 122b. This arrangement of two arms forming the platform is thus particularly convenient as it can be folded away with the ironing board without requiring it to be dismantled and stored separately.

Other shapes and configuration of tray are possible, but by having the platform beneath the iron rest is particularly convenient to be able to use the iron rest.

Furthermore, by supporting the iron rest directly on the legs rather than from the ironing surface, the iron rest is more firmly supported.

-12 -One alternative configuration of steam generator tray is shown in figure 8. In this configuration the steam generator tray is suspended from the underside of the ironing surface 110, or iron rest 150, or a combination of the two. The tray itself 810 is a rigid material on which the steam generator 830 rests. The tray may be supported by a flexible material such as fabric extending from the underside of the ironing surface and forming a U-shaped loop of material within which the tray is held. Alternatively, instead of fabric or flexible material the tray may be suspended by rods. The rods may be arranged at the four corners of the tray, or at the mid-point of two sides of the tray. Preferably, the rods are hinged or pivotally coupled to the tray and underside of the ironing surface to allow the steam generator tray to be folded away when the ironing board is folded away for storage. Optionally, the rods may be detachable from the ironing surface. For example, the rods may clamp to the surface of a conventional ironing board, or may engage into holes provided in a frame on the underside of the ironing surface or iron rest. In a further alternative, sides 820 may be rigid panel, or strips that are hinged at the underside of the ironing surface and the tray. Again, such an embodiment is preferably detachable from the ironing board and able to be fitted to conventional ironing boards. This embodiment also has the advantage of locating the steam generator base unit below the surface of the ironing board to provide a lower centre of mass than the conventional case of placing the steam generator on the iron rest 150.

Figure 9 shows a third embodiment of steam generator tray. In this embodiment, the steam generator tray 910 is supported a pair of struts 905 and 915 connected to the legs -13 - 901 and 902. Strut 905 is pivotally coupled to the leg 902 extending beneath the tray. The strut is also pivotally coupled to tray 910. Similarly, strut 915 is pivotally couple to upper leg 901 and also to the tray 910. The struts may connect permanently to the ironing board or may be provided with clamps to fit to a conventional ironing board.

Because the struts pivot, the ironing board at each end, when the ironing board is folded away for storage the struts will allow the tray to also fold away. Although in some embodiments the struts may fit into holes, hook over pins, or couple with other engagement means on the ironing board which allows the tray to be removed from the ironing board.

The struts must be sufficiently robust to support the weight of the steam generator 830. The point where the two struts meet the tray may be around the midpoint of the tray, but can also be towards one end. If this point is toward the left hand end as shown in figure 9, the tray will be supported by a cantilever effect.

As additional support, the left hand end of the tray may couple to the pivot shaft 130 where the legs cross. The tray may couple by hooks similar to those described above in relation to figure 6.

In further embodiment the tray may be wholly supported by one of the legs by clamping or coupling to two points on the leg. The leg may be the upper leg 901 or the lower leg 902 such that the tray is either supported or suspended in a similar manner to that described regarding figure 9.

Figure 10 shows a fourth embodiment of steam generator platform or tray. The ironing board may be a conventional ironing board or one substantially as described above. In this fourth embodiment, the steam generator tray 1010 is coupled to a pivot 1030 where the legs 1001, 1002 of the -14 -ironing board cross each other. The leg 1001 is pivotally coupled to the underside of the ironing surface 110 or frame supporting the ironing surface. Leg 1002 is arranged to be able to slide with respect to the ironing surface to allow the legs to be closed against the ironing surface 110 for storage. At the opposite end to the pivot 1030, the steam generator tray 1010 may be coupled to the ironing surface by flexible support members 1020. Two flexible support members may be provided, one at each of the corners of the platform. The flexible support members may be cord, chain, rope, wire, plastic coated wire or any other flexible material. The flexible members 1020 may be coupled to the corners of the platform, or as shown in figure 11, may be coupled to the platform at a point between half way and the end of the platform.

The coupling to the pivot 1030 may be similar to in relation to the first embodiment, for example, using hooks.

Alternatively, if the legs of the ironing board do no match the width of the platform, a central hook or hooks 1031 may be provided to couple to the legs. If it is not possible to couple to the pivot, the hook or hooks may couple to the legs, for example using any of clamps, hooks, notches, pips etc. As shown in figure 10, the distance Dl between the pivot 1030 and the point at which the flexible member 1020 couples to the platform, is equal to the distance between which the leg 1001 and flexible member 1020 couple to the underside of the ironing surface 110 or frame. Also the length D2 along the leg 1001 from the ironing surface 110 to the pivot 1030 is equal to the length of the flexible member 1020. Thus, when the ironing board with platform fitted is viewed in side projection, the leg 1001, platform 1010, -15 -flexible member 1020, and part of the ironing surface form a parallelogram as shown in figure 10. That is, the shape formed consists of two pairs of equal length parallel sides.

Figures 10 and 11 show the ironing board and platform in the ironing position. When the ironing board is folded away for storage, such as by releasing and sliding leg 1002 as described in above embodiments, the platform of the fourth embodiment will fold flat against the underside of the ironing surface. In this closed position, the pivot 1030 will be moved to point 1040 a distance D2 from where the leg 1001 couples to the underside of the ironing surface thus flattening the parallelogram. This arrangement has an advantage over other arrangements of platform and supports in that the platform is easily folded away flat and does not require any additional operations to be performed to achieve this. In addition, when the ironing board is opened out to the ironing position the platform automatically opens to a horizontal position and does not require adjustment to suit the particular height at which the ironing surface is set.

The platform may be longer than length Dl but will remain supported provided the tray is suitably rigid.

The platform may be adapted for use with conventional ironing boards using techniques described above regarding first to third embodiments.

The person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and alterations may be made to the above described embodiment of ironing board, ironing table, or platform or tray for a steam generator without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The platform or tray may be provided for use with conventional -16 -ironing boards as well as ironing boards adapted or arranged to be compatible with the tray.

Claims

-17 -CLAIMS: 1. An ironing board, comprising: an ironing surface; legs to support the ironing surface; and a platform coupled beneath the ironing surface and arranged to support a steam generator base unit.
2. The ironing board of claim 1, wherein the ironing board further comprises an iron rest adjacent to a first end of the ironing surface, the platform located below the first end of the ironing surface.
3. The ironing board of any preceding claim, wherein the platform is coupled to one or more of the legs.
4. The ironing board of any preceding claim, wherein the platform is supported by one or more of the legs.
5. The ironing board of any preceding claim, wherein two or more of the legs cross at a shaft, the platform coupled to the shaft.
6. The ironing board of claim 5, wherein the platform is comprised of one or more arms, each coupled to the shaft.
7. The ironing board of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the arms are coupled to the shaft by hooks.
8. The ironing board of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the platform is comprised of two arms joined by a U-shaped -18 -brace, said brace arranged to rest on one of the legs to support the platform.
9. The ironing board of claim 8, wherein one of the legs includes a keeper against which the brace is arranged to bear and support the platform.
10. The ironing board of claim 9, wherein the keeper comprises a hook, pip, pin, barb, or hole.
11. The ironing board of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the keeper is mounted on a plate attached to a leg, the plate being arranged to rotate to move the position of the keeper.
12. The ironing board of any preceding claim in combination with claim 3, wherein the platform is removably coupled to the legs of the ironing board.
13. The ironing board of any of claims 1 to 3 or claim 12, wherein the platform is suspended from the ironing surface.
14. The ironing board of claim 13, wherein the platform is rigid and is suspended from the ironing surface by a flexible material attached to two sides of the platform.
15. The ironing board of claim 13, wherein the platform is rigid and is suspended from the ironing surface at two or more points by rods, chains, cord, or wire.
16. The ironing board of any of claims 1 to 3 or claim 12, wherein the platform is suspended from a first leg and supported by a second leg.

-19 -
17. The ironing board of claim 13, wherein the platform is supported by a leg or a pivot at which the legs of the ironing board meet.
18. The ironing board of claim 17, wherein the platform is suspended from the ironing surface by a support member.
19. The ironing board of claim 18, wherein the length of the flexible support member is equal to the distance between the ironing surface and pivot at which the legs meet when measured along the leg.
20. The ironing board of claim 18 or 19, wherein when the ironing board is in the upright ironing position, a leg of the ironing board, support member, ironing surface, and platform form a parallelogram.
21. The ironing board of claim 16, wherein the first leg and second leg are coupled at a pivot, and the platform is coupled to the pivot.
22. The ironing board of claim 16 or 17, wherein the platform is suspended from the first leg by a strut pivotally coupled to the first leg and pivotally coupled to the platform.
23. The ironing board of any of claims 16, 17 or 22, wherein the platform is supported by the second leg by a strut pivotally coupled to the second leg and pivotally coupled to the platform.

-20 -
24. The ironing board of any of claims 1 to 3 or claim 12, wherein the platform is supported by a leg.
25. The ironing board of any of claims 1 to 3 or 12 or 24, wherein the platform is suspended from a leg.
26. The ironing board of any preceding claim, wherein the legs are arranged to move between a first open position for ironing and a second storage position in which the legs are folded flat against the underside of the ironing surface.
27. The ironing board of claim 26, wherein the platform is adapted to fold flat against the underside of the ironing board when the legs are in the storage position.
28. A platform for attachment to an ironing board and adapted to support a steam generator when attached to the ironing board, the platform comprising a support portion for receiving a steam generator, and coupling means for coupling the platform to the ironing board.
29. The platform of claim 28, wherein the coupling means are arranged to couple to one or more legs of an ironing board and support the platform.
30. The platform of claim 89 or 29, wherein the coupling means are arranged to couple to a shaft about which legs of an ironing board pivot.
31. The platform of claim 30, comprising one or more arms, each having coupling means f or coupling to a shaft about which the legs of an ironing board pivot.

-21 -
32. The platform of any of claims 28 to 31, wherein the coupling means are hooks.
33. The platform of claim 31 or 32, wherein the platform is comprised of two arms joined by a brace, said brace arranged to rest on a leg of an ironing board to support the platform.
34. The platform of claim 33, wherein the brace is U-shaped.
35. The platform of claim 28, wherein coupling means are arranged to suspend the platform from the ironing surface of an ironing board.
36. The platform of claim 35, wherein the support portion is rigid and the platform is arranged to be suspended from an ironing surface by a flexible material attached to two sides of the platform.
37. The platform of claim 35, wherein the platform is rigid and is arranged to be suspended from an ironing surface at two or more points by rods, chains, cord, or wire.
38. The platform of claim 28, wherein the platform has first coupling means arranged for suspending the platform from a first leg of an ironing board and second coupling means arranged for supporting the platform on a second leg of an ironing board.

-22 -
39. The platform of claim 38, further comprising third coupling means arranged to couple to a shaft about which legs of an ironing board pivot.
40. The platform of claim 38 or 39, wherein the first coupling means is a first strut pivotally coupled to the platform, the first strut further arranged to pivotally couple to a first leg of an ironing board.
41. The platform of any of claims 38 to 40, wherein the second coupling means is a second strut coupled to the platform, the second strut further arranged to pivotally couple to the second leg of an ironing board.
42. The platform of claim 28, wherein the coupling means is arranged to couple to a leg of an ironing board and support the platform.
43. The platform of claim 28 or 42, wherein the coupling means is arranged to couple to a leg of an ironing board and suspend the platform from said leg.
44. The platform of any of claims 28 to 43, wherein the coupling means are adapted such that the platform is removable from the ironing board.
45. An ironing board substantially as herein described with reference to figures 3 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.
46. An platform for attachment to an ironing board substantially as herein described with reference to figures 3 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.