US2419705A - Steam electric iron - Google Patents

Description

Pl'l 29,1947 F. BuscH Erm.

STEAM ELECTRIC IRON Filed oct. 2a, 1945 Patented Apr. 29,7` 1947 v 2.4192105 I STEAM ELECTRIC moN c Fred Busch, wapwatosaana Alfred Wild, Mn-

waukee, Wis., assignors to American Thermo Appliance Co., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application October 28, 1943, Serial No. 507,980

Th'e present invention relates in general to improvements in the art of pressing or ironing fabrics, garments, and other materials or articles, and relates more specifically to various improvements in the construction and operation of electrically heated irons or the like.

The primary object of our invention is to provide a new and useful electrically heated iron which is simple in construction and eiiicient in use.

Many different types of so-called steam electric irons have heretofore been proposed and used with varying degrees of success, and in most of these prior nat iron assemblages the steam which is delivered to the surface of the article being ironed, is generated directly within the hollow body of the iron by the electric heater which also serves to heat the ironing plate or shoe. The steam thus generated is relatively moist an'd frequently results in delivery of drops of water upon the surface of the work; and in the case of many s4 claims, (c1. .es-77) delicate fabrics, such deposition of liquid thereon is extremely objectionable and often results in ruination of the article. Then too, it is sometimes desirable when utilizing/flat irons of this type, to be able to quickly and eiectively shut 0H the steam delivery and to utilize the devices as ordinary irons, and so far as known, none of the prior steam electric flat irons are adapted to be thus converted in a rapid and effective manner. Another defect inherent in many of the prior electrically heated irons-is that the thermostats are not conveniently accessible for initial setting, and the operator is notelectively safeguarded against excessive heating of the manipulating handle; and while it is desirable to utilize handles formed of plastic and other materials which cannot withstand high temperatures, the insulation heretofore alorded between the metal bodies and the handles was not Sunicient to permit the use of such non-metallic handles without great danger. Still another ob- 'jection to the prior electrically energized irons of the improved electrically heated steam iron was the location of the normal heat controlling devices in relatively inaccessible places, and in positions which also complicated the construction and assembly of the mechanisms, thus making th'e prior nat irons of this particular type relatively objectionable and unsatisfactory for various specinc reasons.

It is therefore a more specific object of our present invention to provide an improved steam electric nat iron which obviates all of the abovementioned defects and objectionsin a most effective manner, and wherein the electric heaters are thoroughly protected against ingress of liquid.

Another specic object of the present invention is to provide a self-contained steam iron where- 2 V by preventing possible undesirable deposition of free liquid upon the article and insuring quick drying of the work.

A further specific object of this invention is to provide an improved unitary steam iron wherein the steam is generated directly Within the unit, and in which the delivery of steam to the work may be quickly and eectively cut olf at the will of-the operator.

Still another specific object of the invention is to provide an improved electric iron in which the manipulating handle is most effectively heat insulated from the relatively hot` body of the assemblage, thus's'afe-guarding the operator against injury while also`protecting the handle.

An additional specific object of our invention is to provide an improved flat iron assemblage havingsa vreadily manipulable heat control device which is conveniently accessible, and which avoids undesirable complications in structure.

Another added object of the inventionls to provide various'lmprovements in the construction of electrically heated steam irons, whereby the manufacturing cost of such devices is reduced to a minimum, th'e eiiiciency is enhanced to a maximum, and the aesthetic appearance is greatly improved.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will be apparent'from the following detailed description.

A clear conception of the several features con stituting our present improvement, and`of the mode of constructing and of normally utilizing steam electric nat irons built according to the invention, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part. of this Aspecification wherein like reference characters designate the same ous views.

Fig.`1 is a part sectional side elevation of one or similar parts in the variassemblages, part of the electrical connections having been omitted for th'e sake of clearness, and the section having been taken centrally through the device;

Fig. 2 is a top view`of the lower shoe of the iron, showing the three elements for the shoe to the body, in section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through th'e body and shoe, taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal "i section through Vthe upper forward portiony of the in the generated steam is super-heated before being delivered to the article being pressed, thereshoe showing the structure for super-heating the steam and for delivering the same to the pressing face.

While the invention has been shown and described herein as being specifically embodied in an electrically heated steam iron assembly of particular shape and design, it is not our desire or attaching Figs. 1 and 3.

intent to thereby unnecessarily restrict the scope or utility of the improved features.

Referring to the drawing, the improved'steam electric iron shown therein, comprises in general a main hollow body 8 formed of suitable metal and providing a liquid confining chamber 1 having a removable liquid supply plug 1' at one side thereof; a lower plate or shoe 8 having a smooth bottom face 9 and being ilrmly but detachably secured to the lower portion of the body G by means of a front clamping element I and two rear clamping bolts II coacting with the heel of the shoe-8 near the opposite pointed corners I2 thereof; a pair of electric heating elements I3 coniined between the bottom of the body 6 and the top of the shoe 8 and being controllable by means of a bi-metallic thermostat I4 disposed within a rear central recess I5 of the body; a manipulating handle I8 coacting with the top of the hollow body 6 through front and rear heat insulating pads I1, I8 respectively, and each having a series of transverse parallel air circulating holes I9 therethrough; a steam discharge iitting 28 secured to the upper front portion of the casing 6 and being connected to the clamping element I0 by means of a tubular member or riser pipe 2I and a special nut 22 having a valve seat 23 formed thereon; a double acting manually controllable steam shut-0H valve 24 mounted within the fitting` 20 and being cooperable with the seat 23; a steam super-heating coil 4 recess I5 of the body 6 may also be of any desired type. I'he thermostat I4 is ordinarily provided with make and break contacts 35 one of which is adjustable relative to the other with the aid of the axially movable screw rod 30 so as to vary the degree of heating of the shoe 8 by the heating elements I3: and the thermostat adjusting wheel 29 which is journalled for convenient rotation in the rear central portion of the handle I6, should be properly calibrated and marked so as to indicate the proper setting for diilerent kinds of work to be performed. The

25 directly engaging the fiat heating elements I3 and communicatingat one end with the pipe 2I through the clamping element I0and at its opposite end with a sealed dome or chamber 2s having a plurality of steam outlet ports 21 leading to the lower shoe face 9; an automatic safety valve 28 associated with the' upper front portion of the casing 6 and chamber 1; and a manually adjustable heat control wheel 29 coacting with a threaded axially movable rod 30 which cooperates with the thermostat I4.

The main hollow body 6 is preferably formed of a light but durable metal such as aluminum, and the internal chamber 1 of the body 6 is normally supplied with a quantity of liquid 3I such as pure water, by removal of the supply plug 1. The lower peripheral edge of the body 6 is provided with an integral iiange or lip 32 which snugly engages an upstanding ridge 33 formed integral with the shoe 8 so as to effectively conilne the heating elements I3 and the Super-heating coil 25 between the body 6 and shoe 8, and to positively prevent liquid from reaching these parts when the chamber 1 is being iilled. The lower plate or shoe 8 is constructed of relatively hard heat resistant material, and the points I2 formed on the heel of this shoe are provided for the purpose of facilitating certain ironing operations. As previously indicated, the shoe 8 is firmly but detachably attached to the body 8 by means of the rear bolts I I and the front steam conducting element I0, thus providing a durable three point connection; and in order to prevent liquid 3| from escaping from the chamber 1 past the .element I0 into the heater confining space, sealing washers 34, 35 are interposed between the clamping faces of the bushing I0 and body 6 and between the latter and the shoe 8, see

The fiat electric heating elements I3 which are coniined between the lower part of the body 6 and the upper portion of the shoe 8, are of well known construction, and the bi-metallio thermostat I4 which is disposed within the rear iron should'also be provided with suitable connector posts 31 for effecting ready attachment thereof to an electric current conductor cord within the recess I5 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and it is to be noted that the rear central recess I5 which is normally closed by a removable rear plate I5'J provides a protective enclosure for the thermostat I4', and that the thermostat and connections are readily accessible for inspection upon removal of the plate I5'.

The manipulating handle I6 may be formed of wood or plastic, and is separated from the top A of the body 6 by the heat insulating pads I1, I8 so as to provide an air space 38 between the handle and body, in addition to the air circulating holes I9 formed in the pads themselves. The handle I6 may be firmly but removably attached to the body 6, by means of several attaching screws 38 coacting with selected holes I9 of the front and rear pads I1, I8 and with rigid portions of the casing 6, and the pads I1, I8 should be rigidly connected to the bottom of thehandle I8 in any suitable manner. The front attaching screw 39 shown in Fig. 3, coacts with the front tting 20 which is rmlycattached to the body 6, while the rear attaching screw 39, coacts with an' upwardly extending boss or projection 40 formed integral with the casing body 5, and a pin 4I secured to the handle I6 may be fitted within a central holel in the boss 40, see Fig. 1.

'Ihe improved steam control and super-heating mechanism comprising the element I0, iitting 20, pipe 2|, double acting valve 24, and heating coil 25, is adapted to deliver steam from the chamber 1 to the dome 26 at the front of the shoe 8 in 4super-heated condition, and is also constructed so as to permit the operator to entirelyvcut oil the delivery of steam to the dome space 26 and ports 21 at will. The fitting 20 which is rigidly attached to the main body or casing 6, and to which the seating nut 22 is secured, is provided with several oriccs 42 'leading from the liquid confining and initial steam generating chamber I 1 to the control valve 2'4, and this valve 24 is carried by a stem 43 having a head 44 at its upper end slidably confined within a bore in the upper portion of the fitting 20. The stem 43 also has an auxiliary valve 45 attached thereto above the main valve 24, and this valve 45 is normally seated against an auxiliary seat on the fitting 28 when the valve 24 is open, by means of a compression spring 46 coacting with the iitting and with the head 44 as shown in Fig. l,

" thus providing a double acting valve assemblage.

The spring 46 constantly urges the main valve 24 toward open position and the auxiliary valve 45 into closed position, and also coacts with a sealing washer 41 which snugly embraces the stem 43 at the point of exit thereof from the fitting 20. In order to permit manual closing of the main control valve 24 by depressing the spring 46, a push button or slide 48 having a can then be utilized as slot 39 therethrough, is slidably mounted in the forward portion of the grip of the handle I6, and this slide 48 is connected to the stem head 44 by a rod 50 and is pierced by 'a xed stop pin which passes through the slot 49. When the operator presses on the'slide button 48 the valve 24 will be closed to shut o if the steam flow past this valve, and while the auxiliary sealing valve 45 is simultaneously opened, the sealing washer 41 positively prevents escape of steam along the stem 43. When the operator releases the button or slide 48, the valve 24 opened by the spring 46 and the valve 45 is simultaneously closed to provide a dual seal for preventing undesirable escape of steam along the stem 43. The safety valve 28 is of conventional design, and is adapted to permit automatic release of excess steam pressure from within the chamber 1.

The riser pipe 2| which nut 22 with the element I0, is rigidly attached to these elements to provide an eliective seal, and the element Hlhas a central inner` bore connected to an external groove 52 by means of radial ports 53, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4. The grooved lower portion of the clamping element I0 has screw thread coaction with a boss 54 formed integral with the plate or shoe 8, and the inlet end of the super-heating pipe or coil 25 is connected to the boss 54 by means of a detachable connector 55 and communicates through a passage 56 with the groove 52, ports 53, and pipe 2|. The opposite outlet end of the pipe 25 is likewise attached to the steam distributing dome by means of a detachable connector 51, and communicates with the chamber 26 through a passage V58; andthe super-heating pipe 25 with its connectors 55, 51 are all normally confined between the body 6 and shoe 8 in direct contact with the heating elements I3, see

Figs. 1, 2and 4.

When the improved steam electric iron has been properly constructed and assembled as above described, it may be used for diverse pressing and ironing purposes, and the thermostat |4 vmay be adjusted by manipulation of the control wheel 29 so as to secure any desired degree of heating, or to` shut-off the energizing current entirely. During normal operation and use. of the iron, the heat generated by the electric heating elements -|3, not only properly heats the shoe 8, but simultaneously heats the liquid 3| coniined within the chamber 1 and constantly generates vapor or steam in relatively moist condition.

When the slide button 48 is released and the valve 24 is open, the steam thus generated in the chamber 1, flows through the oriiice 42, pipe 2|, element I'U and passage 56, into the superheating pipe or coil 25, wherein the moist steam is converted into superheated steam devoid of free liquid. The superheated steam then ilows from the coil 25 through the passage 51 into the dome chamber 26 from whence it is dispersed through the ports 21 to the article being pressed. If no steam delivery is desired, the operator need only to press the button 48, whereupon the valve 24 will be closed and the steam will be cut ofi; and in case the steam pressure Within the chamber 1 becomes excessive, then the safety valve 28 will promptly function to relieve the excess pressure. If no steam is desired, liquid may be omitted from the chamber 1, and the iron van ordinary electric iron.

From the foregoing detailed description it will is automatically connects the seating said body remote u phcity of construction ment having accessible for inspection and manipulation. The' fsteam generating and superheating system will obviously produce an"abundant supply of steam, and the steam supply may be shut ofi at will with utmost safety. The operator is moreover amply protected against excessive heat and escaping steam, and the degree of heating can be readily and-accurately varied at will with the aid of conveniently located and non-obstructive adjusting mechanism. The improved at iron also presents a pleasing appearance, and the simin order to enhance the aesthetic appearance.

'Ihe steam electric irons embodying our invention can be manufactured and sold at moderate cost, and the improved formation of the lower ironing plate or shoe with pointed corners at the heel also enhances the utility of the structure. The electric heating and control elements are all well protected against ingress of moisture,

while still being readily accessible for'inspection and setting.

It should be understood that it'is not desired to limit'this invention to the exact details of construction or to the precise mode of operation, herein shown and described,.for various modifications within the scope of the appended claims, may occur to persons skilled in the art. l

We claim:

1. A flat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having' a heater associated directly therewith and being provided with steam delivery passages leading to its liquid confining body resting upon said shoe and being exposed to heat generated by said heater, a manipulating handle coacting with the top of said body, a riser pipe having a hollow clamping element and a hollow iitting secured to its lower and upper ends respectively and cooperating therewith to form a conduit connecting the interior of the body with said passages, said element having an upper head clampingly engageable with said body and a lower screw threaded end coacting with to the shoe, andsaid iitting having a lower screw threaded portion coacting with said body and an upper cylindrical I in said handle, means detachably connecting said handle to said upper tting portion, andother means for detachably connecting from said fitting.

2. A flat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having a heater associated directly therewith and being provided with steam delivery passages leading to its work engaging face, a hollow liquid coni'lning body resting upon said shoe and being eliposed to heat generated by said heater, a manipulating handle coacting with the top of said body, a riser pipe having a hollow clamping element and a hollow iitting secured to its lower and upper ends respectively and cooperating therewith to form a conduit connecting the interior of the body with said passages, said eleend coacting with said shoe to secure the body to the shoe, and said iitting having a lower screw threaded portion coacting with said body and an will permit streamlining work engaging face, a hollow said shoe to secure the body portion snugly engaging a bore said handle to an upper head clampingly engageable with said body and a lower screw threaded hoss respectively for detachably securing the handle to the body. J ,i

3. A iiat iron comprising, a work engaging shoe having a heater associated directly therewith and being provided with steam"delivery passages leading to its work engaging face, a hollow liquid coniining body resting upon said shoe and being exposed to heat generated by said heater, a manipulating'handle coacting with the top o1 said body, a riser pipe having a hollow clamping element and a hollow tting secured to its lower and upper ends respectively and cooperating therewith to form a, conduit connecting the interior of the body with said passages, said element having an upper head clamplngly engageable with said body and ailower screw threaded end coacting with said shoe to secure the body .to the shoe, and said fitting having a lower screw threaded portion coacting with said body and an upper 'cylindrical portion snugly engaging a bore in said handle, a vapor heating coil conned between said body and said shoe above said heater by said clamping element and having one end communicating with said conduit and its op posite end communicating with said passages, :means detachably connecting said handle to said upper fitting portion, and other means for detachably connecting said handle to said body remote from said iittlng. l

FRED BUSCH. ALFRED WILD.

Rari-:aimons CITI-in The following references are of record in the file of this patent: y

Number Number 330,870

UNTTED STATES PATENTS British June 19, 1930

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