US3903625A - Electric pressing iron - Google Patents

Electric pressing iron Download PDF

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Publication number
US3903625A
US3903625A US528181A US52818174A US3903625A US 3903625 A US3903625 A US 3903625A US 528181 A US528181 A US 528181A US 52818174 A US52818174 A US 52818174A US 3903625 A US3903625 A US 3903625A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
iron
shell
dome
water
handle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US528181A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert John Augustine
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Sunbeam Corp
Original Assignee
Sunbeam Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sunbeam Corp filed Critical Sunbeam Corp
Priority to US528181A priority Critical patent/US3903625A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3903625A publication Critical patent/US3903625A/en
Priority to AU86490/75A priority patent/AU493187B2/en
Priority to GB47478/75A priority patent/GB1482338A/en
Priority to CA240,752A priority patent/CA1015652A/fr
Priority to ES443057A priority patent/ES443057A1/es
Priority to FR7536548A priority patent/FR2292798A1/fr
Priority to IT52439/75A priority patent/IT1052436B/it
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F75/00—Hand irons
    • D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
    • D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
    • D06F75/14—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed the steam being produced from water in a reservoir carried by the iron

Definitions

  • steam iron is plugged into a receptacle and also illuminating the water-level gauge to facilitate the reading of the water level within the iron.
  • irons are normally constructed with some provision for supporting the iron in an upended position wherein the sole plate is raised above the supporting surface which is normally an ironing board. When the ironing operation is completed the iron is normally stored in the upended position so that the hot sole plate cannot cause any damage while it is cooling.
  • steam irons have been very popular because of their ability to function as either a dry or a steam iron with the actuation of a steam control.
  • steam irons are provided with a water filling opening in the forward portion of the iron handle in order to afford access to the water storage tank or reservoir, positioned between the iron shell and sole plate.
  • the water tank or reservoir is employed to store water for use in the steam-generating chamber and, in the case of spray irons, for the water spray system. When the steam spray iron is used, the water in the tank may be rapidly depleted due to the steaming and spraying operations.
  • the present invention relates to an electric steam iron having a translucent domed water-level gauge, such as disclosed in the Vieceli U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,118, wherein a safety signal light is located next to this translucent dome.
  • This safety signal light serves the dual function of facilitating the reading of the water level within the aforementioned dome as well as being a safety indication as to when a iron is plugged in.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric pressing iron having a safety feature wherein the user may easily determine when the iron is plugged in and power is being supplied thereto.
  • Still another object of the present invention is to provide a single improvement which would accomplish both of the aforementioned objects, that is, to facilitate the reading of the water-level gauge and to provide a safety feature to show when power is being supplied to the iron.
  • Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved iron having a dual purpose illuminating means which is low in cost and easily assembled.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric pressing iron embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the iron in the upended position with a portion of the handle assembly broken away in order to expose the water-level gauge and show the positioning of the safety signal light;
  • FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the iron, further showing the arrangement of the water-level gauge and the safety signal light;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the electrical relationship of the invention to the other elements of the circuit of the steam iron.
  • an electric pressing iron designated generally by the reference numeral 20.
  • the iron includes a base 22 and a looped handle 23 secured to the base.
  • an electric power cord 25 is attached to the handle 23.
  • Base 22 includes a sole plate 27 having a pointed forward end 28 and having a flat rear end 29 and an inverted cup-shaped cover shell 31, with a pointed forward end 32 which is complimentary to the sole plate forward end 28 and the rear section or surface 33.
  • a saddle portion 34 which may be integrally molded with handle 23 or comprise a separate piece attached thereto.
  • the base 22 includes an electric resistance heater 35 for heating the sole plate 27.
  • the sole plate 27 may be fabricated from any suitable metal, such as aluminum, steel, or metallic laminate. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the sole plate 27 is relatively heavy with regard to the overall weight of the iron.
  • the shell 31 is fabricated from sheet metal and performs the function of covering the internal components attached to the sole-plate and also spacing the handle 23 from the sole plate 27 in order to limit the amount of heat transferred to the handle from the sole plate.
  • the handle 23 has a forward portion 41, an elongated longitudinally extending hand-gripping portion 42, and a rear upright portion 43. To increase the stability of the iron 20 when it is resting in its upended position, there is provided behind the rear upright portion 43 a stabilizing'heel rest 44. A more detailed description of the function and construction of this type of heel rest is disclosed in the Bamas, et a]. US. Pat. No. 3,541,306, which is assigned to the same assignee of the present invention.
  • the operation of the iron is regulated by controls disposed at the forward portion 41 of handle 23 as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. These controls include a water spray button 45, a steam control button 46, and a pivotally-mounted thermostat control or setting knob 47.
  • the front handle portion 41 defines a water fill opening 48 which leads into a passageway forming an access into water tank 50. It should be appreciated that the water contained in tank 50 is used for both the spray system, which has a discharge nozzle located within the water fill opening 48, and for steam generation in the chamber located within the sole plate assembly 27.
  • a cupshaped elongated dome 55 To provide a visual indication of the amount of water contained within tank 50, there is provided a cupshaped elongated dome 55.
  • the dome is translucent and, as shown in FIG. 3, is employed in an inverted position so that the mouth of the cup-shaped dome is in engagement with a gasket (not shown) located on top of the tank 50. So that the dome may conform with the saddle portion 33 beneath the iron handle 23 the dome has a top 56, which is relatively flat and is inclined at the same angle as the saddle portion.
  • the dome 55 which is molded from a polycarbonate resin, has its inside surfaces frosted or made opaque by sandblasting.
  • dome 55 extends considerably higher than the shell 31, there is provided a clearance opening 59 in the shell above the tank opening to allow the dome 55 to extend therethrough. Since the exact location of dome 55 may vary due to an accumulation of tolerances throughout the iron, a relatively large opening or slot 60 is defined in the iron saddle portion 34 so that a portion of the dome 55 may extend therethrough as is evident from FIGS. 3 and 4. A gap or space 61 then exists between the dome 55 and the edge of the slot 60.
  • an escutcheon 65 Bridging the gap 61 between the edge of the slot 60 and the portion of the dome 55 which extends therethrough is an escutcheon 65 having an opening 66 which is adjacent to the portion of the dome 55 which projects above the saddle surface 34.
  • the escutcheon is fabricated from aluminum foil and has printed thereon indicia 67 to indicate the amount of water in the reservoir 50 when the iron is in the upended position shown in FIG. 2.
  • the escutcheon 65 may bear printed matter indicating the preferred temperature setting for various materials.
  • the escutcheon is placed over the portion of the dome 55 which extends above saddle surface 34 after the tank 50 and handle 23 have been assembled and secured in their operating position.
  • escutcheon 65 since the location of escutcheon 65 with respect to dome 55 may be easily controlled when it is assembled, being after the handle has been assembled to the shell and the dome positioned therein, there would be a minimum gap left between these two members, thus avoiding the tolerance buildup between the reservoir and the handle.
  • the location of the escutcheon 65 will vary slightly from iron to iron, depending on the position of the dome 55 with respect to opening 60 in the saddle portion of the iron.
  • a neon light 70 located immediately behind the dome 55 and between the saddle portion 34 and the water tank 50. Furthermore, the opening 59 in the shell 31 is sufficiently large enough to allow additional room for the neon light if required.
  • the neon light 70 is first secured to handle 23 for assembly purposes within the iron by a hightemperature adhesive tape 71. By originally securing the light within the handle 23, where the electrical connections for the light and power cord are made, one.
  • the neon light 70 has a reddish tinge which gives the dome 55 and the water contained therein, a reddish coloring.
  • the illumination of the water and water dome 55, especially with the aforementioned reddish tinge, make it considerably easier to view and read the level of the liquid water. That is, the neon light will first illuminate this otherwise shadowed and darkened area of the iron, making viewing thereof obviously easier for the user.
  • the 'water level surface will be illuminated to a greater degree than the body of the water, thus giving a distinct indication of the amount of water contained within the dome 55. This surface illumination is caused by the refraction and scattering of light rays at the water-air boundary surface.
  • the neon light further serves as a safety feature in that it will alert the user when the electric pressing iron is plugged into a wall receptacle.
  • the neon light 70 and a resistor 72 used for dropping the voltage across the light are in parallel with the power connection 25.
  • the neon light 70 would be turned on.
  • the illumination of the dome 55 caused by the refraction of light rays therein will then provide a clearly visible safety signal.
  • the schematic of FIG. also shows the remainder of the electrical connections including the heating element 35, a fuse 74 and finally,
  • thermostatic switch means 73 which controls the temperature of the sole plate 27 by regulating the energization of the heating element 35.
  • the present invention incorporates two separate and desirable features, a safety signal light and a means to facilitate the reading of a water gauge, into one easily assembled and inexpensive improvement in our electric pressing iron.
  • the location and color of the neon light being used is such that the light is quite noticeable when on and yet it also fits well with the aesthetic design of the iron.
  • dome 55 has been described above as being translucent, it is contemplated that dome 55 could be transparent. Accordingly the term translucent as used in the claims is intended to include a completely transparent material as well as one which would only transmit light to a limited degree and be partially transparent.
  • An electric steam pressing iron comprising a sole plate provided with an electric heating element and a shell overlying said sole plate and secured thereto; a controlled thermostat electrically connected in series with said heating element, a water reservoir mounted within said shell and adapted to deliver water to a steam chamber in said sole plate; a handle secured to said shell and having a gripping portion and a saddle portion in spaced parallel relation; an elongated opening in said reservoir extending parallel to said gripping portion; and elongated translucent dome mounted in said opening and sealed to said tank; said shell and said saddle portion having slots aligned with said reservoir opening with said dome extending through said slots; a power cord for said iron supported on said handle and being connected to said heating element; a neon light bulb electrically connected to said cord in parallel with the series combination of said heating element and said thermostat; means securing said bulb to the underside of said saddle portion between said saddle portion and said reservoir; said bulb being positioned adjacent said dome to direct light therethrough to illuminate the water level when said iron is in the upended position.
  • said securing means comprises a strip of high-temperature adhesive tape; and said bulb being secured at one end of said elongated dome whereby light rays are directed lengthwise therethrough causing refraction at the water level surface.
  • a steam iron comprising a base assembly provided with a sole plate and an electric heating element contained therein; a switch electrically connected in series with said heating element; an elongated water tank secured to said assembly having an opening in the upper surface thereof; a cup-shaped shell attached to said assembly and covering said tank; said shell forming an opening overlying the opening in said tank; a handle on said shell having an annular edge which defines an opening overlying said tank and shell openings; :1 cupshaped dome for indicating the amount of water in said tank with an open end and a translucent top portion thereof; said open end attached to the opening in said tank and said top portion extending through the openings in said shell and said handle; a power cord for said iron supported on said handle; a light bulb electrically connected across said cord and in parallel with the series combination of said heating element and said switch so that the bulb is always illuminated when the cord is plugged into an electrical outlet and power is dle is secured on said shell.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Irons (AREA)
  • Level Indicators Using A Float (AREA)
US528181A 1974-11-29 1974-11-29 Electric pressing iron Expired - Lifetime US3903625A (en)

Priority Applications (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US528181A US3903625A (en) 1974-11-29 1974-11-29 Electric pressing iron
AU86490/75A AU493187B2 (en) 1974-11-29 1975-11-11 Electric pressing iron
GB47478/75A GB1482338A (en) 1974-11-29 1975-11-18 Electric pressing iron
CA240,752A CA1015652A (fr) 1974-11-29 1975-11-27 Fer a repasser electrique
ES443057A ES443057A1 (es) 1974-11-29 1975-11-28 Perfeccionamientos introducidos en una plancha de vapor electrica.
FR7536548A FR2292798A1 (fr) 1974-11-29 1975-11-28 Fer a repasser electrique a vapeur
IT52439/75A IT1052436B (it) 1974-11-29 1975-11-28 Ferro da stiro elettrico

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US528181A US3903625A (en) 1974-11-29 1974-11-29 Electric pressing iron

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3903625A true US3903625A (en) 1975-09-09

Family

ID=24104577

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US528181A Expired - Lifetime US3903625A (en) 1974-11-29 1974-11-29 Electric pressing iron

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US3903625A (fr)
CA (1) CA1015652A (fr)
ES (1) ES443057A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2292798A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB1482338A (fr)
IT (1) IT1052436B (fr)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD246628S (en) * 1976-04-19 1977-12-13 Scm Corporation Steam iron
USD247090S (en) 1976-04-19 1978-01-31 Scm Corporation Steam iron
USD247089S (en) 1976-04-19 1978-01-31 Scm Corporation Steam iron
US4195428A (en) * 1978-11-06 1980-04-01 General Electric Company Steam iron water gauge
US5224434A (en) * 1991-02-11 1993-07-06 Card Roy T Method and apparatus for producing tufts from different yarns in longitudinal lines
US5471658A (en) * 1993-03-26 1995-11-28 Iacono; Gene A. Hermetically sealed communication system with rechargeable battery
USD389622S (en) 1996-12-04 1998-01-20 Sunbeam Products, Inc. Steam iron
USD389969S (en) 1996-12-04 1998-01-27 Sunbeam Products, Inc. Dry iron
US5829175A (en) * 1996-09-20 1998-11-03 Black & Decker Inc. Steam iron with all temperature steam production
US20040160761A1 (en) * 2003-02-18 2004-08-19 Seb S.A. Case for household appliance with water reservoir
US20090320231A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-31 Maximilian Rosenzweig Steam mop
US20110225858A1 (en) * 2010-03-22 2011-09-22 Sears Brands, Llc System and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron
CN101424038B (zh) * 2007-11-02 2011-12-28 威利马电器有限公司 蒸汽熨斗
GB2575558A (en) * 2016-10-26 2020-01-15 Dyson Technology Ltd Cleaning appliance
US11284979B2 (en) * 2016-10-26 2022-03-29 Dyson Technology Limited Cleaning appliance
US11911230B2 (en) 2018-06-20 2024-02-27 Dyson Technology Limited Dental treatment appliance
US12036081B2 (en) 2018-06-20 2024-07-16 Dyson Technology Limited Dental treatment appliance

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2883779A (en) * 1955-01-12 1959-04-28 Dormeyer Corp Electric steam iron
US3273267A (en) * 1965-10-22 1966-09-20 Mc Graw Edison Co Water level indicator for electric iron
US3298118A (en) * 1965-10-21 1967-01-17 Sunbeam Corp Steam iron water level gauge

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2883779A (en) * 1955-01-12 1959-04-28 Dormeyer Corp Electric steam iron
US3298118A (en) * 1965-10-21 1967-01-17 Sunbeam Corp Steam iron water level gauge
US3273267A (en) * 1965-10-22 1966-09-20 Mc Graw Edison Co Water level indicator for electric iron

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD247090S (en) 1976-04-19 1978-01-31 Scm Corporation Steam iron
USD247089S (en) 1976-04-19 1978-01-31 Scm Corporation Steam iron
USD246628S (en) * 1976-04-19 1977-12-13 Scm Corporation Steam iron
US4195428A (en) * 1978-11-06 1980-04-01 General Electric Company Steam iron water gauge
US5224434A (en) * 1991-02-11 1993-07-06 Card Roy T Method and apparatus for producing tufts from different yarns in longitudinal lines
US5471658A (en) * 1993-03-26 1995-11-28 Iacono; Gene A. Hermetically sealed communication system with rechargeable battery
US5829175A (en) * 1996-09-20 1998-11-03 Black & Decker Inc. Steam iron with all temperature steam production
USD389622S (en) 1996-12-04 1998-01-20 Sunbeam Products, Inc. Steam iron
USD389969S (en) 1996-12-04 1998-01-27 Sunbeam Products, Inc. Dry iron
US20040160761A1 (en) * 2003-02-18 2004-08-19 Seb S.A. Case for household appliance with water reservoir
CN101424038B (zh) * 2007-11-02 2011-12-28 威利马电器有限公司 蒸汽熨斗
US20090320231A1 (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-31 Maximilian Rosenzweig Steam mop
US20110225858A1 (en) * 2010-03-22 2011-09-22 Sears Brands, Llc System and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron
US8397406B2 (en) * 2010-03-22 2013-03-19 Sears Brands, L.L.C. System and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron
US8752311B2 (en) 2010-03-22 2014-06-17 Sears Brands, L.L.C. System and method for using color to indicate a state of a home appliance, such as an iron
GB2575558A (en) * 2016-10-26 2020-01-15 Dyson Technology Ltd Cleaning appliance
GB2575558B (en) * 2016-10-26 2020-05-27 Dyson Technology Ltd Cleaning appliance
US11284979B2 (en) * 2016-10-26 2022-03-29 Dyson Technology Limited Cleaning appliance
CN114504184A (zh) * 2016-10-26 2022-05-17 戴森技术有限公司 清洁器具
CN114504184B (zh) * 2016-10-26 2024-03-26 戴森技术有限公司 清洁器具
US12127899B2 (en) 2016-10-26 2024-10-29 Dyson Technology Limited Cleaning appliance
US11911230B2 (en) 2018-06-20 2024-02-27 Dyson Technology Limited Dental treatment appliance
US12036081B2 (en) 2018-06-20 2024-07-16 Dyson Technology Limited Dental treatment appliance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1482338A (en) 1977-08-10
CA1015652A (fr) 1977-08-16
IT1052436B (it) 1981-06-20
FR2292798B1 (fr) 1979-07-06
FR2292798A1 (fr) 1976-06-25
ES443057A1 (es) 1977-05-01
AU8649075A (en) 1977-05-19

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