US2340737A - Electric iron with pilot light - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1944. w. w. cooNs y l ELECTRIC IRON WITH PILOT LIGHT W mwnn O o yy/@ Oc o o o o o o oo do Filed June 24, 1942 Arrows/5y Patentedreb. 1,1944

Iwarren STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2,340,131 y ELECTRIC moN wrm riLo'r LIGHT William W. Coons, New Britain, Conn. Application June 24, 1942, Serial No. 448,243

4 claims. (c1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an electric iron with a pilot light.

It-is proposed that the pilot light be red and be for the purpose of notifying an operator that the iron is ready to be used. An important advantage resides in the fact that the red pilot light reminds the operator Whether or not the switch is on or offend thus shows if current is ilowing through the-iron. It acts as, a watch man on duty and is in reality a signal as well as an indicator. If the switch is on and it fails to light it shows that either the iron is defective or there is something defective with the pilot light itself.

. sales item.

An important feature` of the invention resides in so mounting and shielding-the pilot light that it will not be injured by the kheat from the iron.

The invention contemplates various ways of mounting and shielding the pilot light for this purpose. The invention also contemplates numerous additional constructions in the interior of the iron.

For further comprehension of this invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, refer-- ence will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure: y

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an electric iron with a pilot light in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view ofthe iron base plate of the electric iron.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional and perspective view of the electric heating unit of the iron.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of Fig. 3. l

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the top plate shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the mechanism which supports and operates the pilot light.

Fig. 'l is a view locking ln the direction of the line 'I-l of Fig. A1.

Fia. 8 is a side elevational view of an electric iron with a pilot light constructed according to a modied form of the invention.

The electric iron with the pilot light, in accordance with this invention, includes an iron base plate I0 having a recessed top portion ily which is provided with a pair of spaced threaded bosses I2 along its longitudinal center line. An

electric heating unit I3 is locatedon said base plate I0 and includes atop insulation plate I4 and a bottom insulation plate I5. A heating winding I6 is located within a groove I'I formed in the bottom face of the top plate I4. This heating winding starts at a contact prong I8' The insulation platesv I4 and I5 of the heatingk unit I 3 are preferably constructed of glass porcelain or other similar insulating material. 'I'his construction permits the contacts 2l to be cast as a unit with the insulation plates with the heating winding I8 in position between the plates. Insulation plates so constructed are sturdy, strong-and durable and are not subject to the disintegrating or crumbling eiIect's of continued use or unfavorable weather conditions. High temperatures will not cause these insulation plates to smoke or throwoff undesirable Vor unpleasant odors due to the elimination of chemicals commonly found in the old types of insulation members. These insulation plates I4 and I5 are indestructible because there can be no chemical reaction caused by the high temperatures thus eliminating the possibility of short circuits in the heating element. The top insulation plate I4 may be cast with bridges extending across the grooves I1 to maintain the heating Y 'I'he pilot light 22 is threadedly mounted in a v metallic shell 21 which is 'fixedly mounted in an insulation member 28 vertically slidably mounted in a boss 29 formed downwards from the top wall of the housing 24. insulation member 28 has a bottom flange 30 which works in a recess 3| formed in the boss 29 and serves to limit the top position of the insulation member 28.A The insulation member 28 is also formed with an opening 32 extended inwards from its bottom end. A heavy, black Bakelite insulation washer 33 is located in the top of the opening 32.

The insulationk washer 33 has a contact 34 which engages the end contact of the lamp 32 when the latter is mounted in the shell 21. The contact 34 is connected with one of the leads 23. The other lead 23 is connected with the shell 21. Thus the electric circuit is completed. An expansion spring 35 is disposed within the opening 36 and normally acts to urge the insulation member 28 into a raised position. This spring 35 is insulated from the leads 23 by insulation tubes 36 and 31 which telescopically engage each other, and which are mounted respectively on the insulation washer 33 and on the top wall of the electric heating unit I3.

.A nger 36 engages the flange 30 and also engages a longitudinal slot 31 formed in the outer face of the insulation member 28. This linger 36 is threadedly engaged on a steep angle screw 38 which is rotatively mounted through the boss 29. A head 39 is mounted on the top end of the screw 38 and has a small peg 40 extending downwards and normally engaging in a small opening- 4| formed in the top of the housing 24. The screw 38 is slightly slidable in the vertical direction. It has a bottom head 42 which is slightly spaced from a support 43 on the boss 29. A spring'44 acts between the support 43 and the head 42 for" normally urging the screw 38 downwards.

In the event that. the electric iron is going to be used on high heat it is advisable that the head 39 be pulled upwards to disengage the peg 4U from the opening 4| and then the head -39 should move upwards. The groove 39 prevents the lnsulation member 28 from turning. However, the insulation member 23 will be moved upwards to follow the finger 36 by the expansion action of the spring 35. This raises the pilot light 22. as for example indicated by the dot and dash lines 22 in Fig. 1. A heavy black Bakelite washer 45 is mounted on the top of the insulation member 28 around the pilot light 22 to help protect it from the heat. The washer 45 is black in color while the pilot light is red in color. This combination results in a contrast of color which adds to the appearance of the iron. The electric iron is provided with a handle 46 which is supported by side brackets 41 mounted on the top of the housing 24 and held in position by the screws 25.

The rear of the housing 24 is formed with an upwardly inclined tubular extension 50 into `which the conventional connection plug is adapted to be engaged for supplying the necessary current to energize the heating winding I6 through the medium of the contact prongsA i8 and I9. The interior of the extension 50 is provided with four upwardly extending leaf springs 5|. -These leaf springs 5| have their bottom ends securely attached to the walls of the extension `5|! and their top ends bulged at 52. When the conventional connection plug (not shown on the drawing) is engaged into the extension 50 the bulged portions 52 of the leaf springs 5| will engage the sides of the plug and frictionally be turned to indirectly cause the linger 38 to asaonav maintain -the plug in position within the extension.

'I'he operation of the device is as follows:

When the iron is being used the pilot light 22 will be illuminated. This indicates to the operator that the current is passing through the iron. It serves to prevent the operator from forgetting this fact and allowing the current to pass through the iron when it is his intention to have it turned olf. i

In Fig. 7 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form in the fact that the handle 46 is mounted in position on the iron with brackets 41. One of these brackets 41 is hollowed out so that a .post 48 may extend into it. The pilot light 22=l is mounted on this hollowed out bracket 41', and is electrically connected with leads with the heating Winding of the electric heating unit i3. through the hollow post 48. In other respects this form of the invention is identical to the previous form and like parts are indicated by like reference numerals.

The operation is also identical tothe prior form. When the current is passing through the electric iron the pilot light 22a will be illuminated. However, in this form of the invention the means for protecting the pilot light 22n from receiving excessive heat comprises the construction whereby it is raised abovel the top of the housing 24.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the rightfis reserved to all changes and modificavtions coming within the scope of the invention 'as defined in the appended claims.

-sulation plates and a heating winding between said insulation plates and being continuous from a pair of contact prongs except at one point where -there is a break, a housing with a handle mounted on said base plate and covering said heating unit, a pilot light mounted on said housing and electrically connected across -said break in said heating winding, and means for protecting said pilot light from too much heat from said electric iron, comprising an insulation member mounted on said housing and supporting the pilot light, and means for extending said insulation, including a manually turnable screw, a follower finger on said screw normally engaging said insulation member to hold it lowered, and resilient means urging said insulation member upwards.

2. An electric iron with pilot light comprising an iron base plate, an electric heating unit on said base plate and having top and bottom insulation plates and a `heating winding between said insulation plates and being continuous from a pair ot contact prongs except at one point where there is a break, a housing with la handle mounted on said base plate and covering said heating unit, a pilot light mounted on said housing and electrically connected across said break in said heating winding, and means for protecting said pilot light from too much heat from said electric iron, comprising an insulation member mounted on said housing and supporting the pilot light, and means for extending said insulation, including a manually turnable screw, a follower fmger on said screw normally engaging said insulation member to hold it lowered, and resilient means urging said insulation member upwards, and means for holding said screw against accidentally turning.

3. An electric iron with pilot light comprising an iron base plate, an electric heating unit on said base plate and having top and bottom insulation plates and a heating winding between said insulation plates and being continuous from a pair of contact prongs except at one point where there is a break, a housing with a handle mounted on said base plate and 4covering said heating unit, a pilot light mounted on said housing and electrically connected across said break in said heating winding, and means for protecting said pilot light from too much heat from said electric-iron, comprising an insulation member mounted on said housing and supporting the pilot light, and means for extending said insulation, including a manually turnable screw, a follower linger on said screw normally engaging said in` sulation member to hold it lowered, and resilient means urging said insulation member upwards, and means for holding said screw against accidentally turning, said screw being slightly vertically slidably' supported, said latter means, comprising a head mounted on the upper end of said screw by which it may be turned, a pin mounted on said head and engageable with a complementary opening formed in said iron, and resilient means urging said screw downwards to retain said pin in said opening, so that by manually raising said screw said pin will be disengaged from said opening so said screw may be turned.

4. An electric iron with pilot light comprising an iron base plate, an electric heating unit on said base plate and having top and bottom insulation plates and a heating winding between said insulation plates and being continuous from a pair of contact prongs except at onepoint where there is a break, a housing with a handle mounted on said base plate and covering said heating unit, a pilot light mounted on said housing and electrically connected across said break in said heating winding, and means for protecting said pilot light from too much heat from said electric iron, comprising an insulation member mounted on said housing and supporting the pilot light, and means for extending said insulation, including a manually turnable screw, a follower ringer on said screw normally engaging said insulation member to hold it lowered, and resilient means urging said insulation member upwards, and means for holding said screw against accidentally turning, said screw being slightly vertically slidably supported, said latter means, comprising a head mounted on the upper end of said screw by which it may be turned, a pin mounted on said head and engageable with a complementary opening formed in said iron, and resilient means urging said screw downwards to retain said pin in said opening, so that by manually raising said screw said pin will be disengaged from said opening so said screw may be turned, said follower finger being engaged with a vertical slot formed in said insulation member so that said screw may be raised slightly relative to said insulation member when desired. y

v WILLIAM W. COONS.

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