US2808667A - Foldable ironing boards - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 8, 1957 J. B. WITMER 2,808,667

FOLDABLE IRONING BOARDS Filed Aug. 29, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 g Fig.7 L l x zlk &\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ JOHN B. WITMER United States PatentO FOLDABLE IRONING BOARDS John B. Witmer, Rocky River, Ohio Application August 29, 1955, Serial No. 531,016

6 Claims. 01. 38-139 The present invention relates to ironing boards and more particularly to sectional ironing boards which may be folded into a compact state when the board is not in use.

Foldable ironing boards as heretofore proposed have not metwith favorable commercial response because'they are complicated in design and consequently must be sold at a comparatively high. price. Another disadvantage of 'folding ironing boards of the prior art is that it is usually necessaryto remove the cover which is applied to the board during ironing beforethe board is folded into its compact state, It is therefore necessary to again apply the cover in place after the board is extended before .it is ready for use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ironing board of the folding type that is simple in design, in which both sections of the board may be. firmly supported in place when it is in its extended posiits ironing position without removing the cover which is applied to the board for ironing purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide an ironing board having simple means associated with its inner end which may be inserted in the drawer of a bureau or dresser for maintaining the board in a substantially level position when it is used for ironing.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: f

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved ironing board;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the ironing board with the ironing cover in place; Fig. 3 is aside elevational view of the board in its extended'positio'n with the ironing cover in place;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the board in its folded compact state;

Fig. Sis a side elevational view of my improved board with parts broken away and showing the inner section of the board supported in the drawer of a bureau or desk which is also shown in section with parts broken away and the cover for the board being shown diagrammatically indot-dash lines; v

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of the ironing board showing the outer section of the board in dotted lines in a partly folded position and in full lines in a substantially fully folded position and with the cover for the board .shown in dot-dash lines; and

Fig, 7 is an enlarged sectional detail view of theboard with parts in elevation and parts broken away and showing the board in full lines in a partly foldedjposition and "in dot-dash lines in a substantially'folded position.

2,808,667 "Patented Oct. 8, 1 957 As shown in the drawings, my improved board comprises an inner section 1 and an outer section 2 which is movable from an extended ironing position as shown in Fig. 1 to a folded compact position as shown in Fig. 4 so that when the board is not in use, it may be stored in a small compartment or closet in an apartment or home, or may be carried in a suit case or trunk and utilized for light laundry purposes in hotels, motels, rooming houses or the like.

In accordance with the present invention, improved means are provided for firmly supporting the board in place when the outer section is in its extended position. For this purpose, the outer section is provided with a cutout portion 3 arranged centrally at its inner portion, the opposite side walls 4 and 5 ofwhich extend parallel to each other and terminate in an arcuate-shaped wall portion 6 and the inner section 1 is provided with a tongue 7 which extends outwardly into the opening 3 of the 'outer section and is provided with side walls 8 and 9 which are spaced from but are arranged in close proximity to the side walls 4 and 5 of the outer section throughout a substantial portion of its length. The tongue 7 is also provided at its outer end portion with offset side walls 10 and 11 which terminate in an arcuate-shaped wall portion 12 which is spaced from but isarranged in proximity to the arcuate-shaped wall 6 of the opening and a cleat 13 is provided having side arms 14 and 15 which are secured to the inner end portions of the outer section 2 by suitable means, such as nails or screws 16, and an inner end portion 17 which overlaps the base oftongue 7 and the outer end portion of the lower wall of the inner section 1. In a like manner, a cleat 18 is provided which is secured to the lower side wall of tongue 7 of the inner section by suitable means, such as screws or nails 19, and overlaps the lower wall of section 2.

Means are also secured to the inner end of section 1 which enables the board to be supported in a level or substantially level position in the drawer of a bureau or desk as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. As illustrated in Fig. 1, one end of a panel 20 is secured to the inner section 1 by suitable means, such as nails or screws 21, and extends rearwardly beyond the inner section 1 and when the drawer of a bureau or desk is in a partly open position as shown in Fig. 5, the panel 20 extends below a bridge piece 22 extending downwardly from the upper wall of the bureau or desk and the outer end of panel 20 engages the upper margin of the inner wall of drawer 23 at which time the inner end of section 1 engages the lower margin of bridge 22 and rests upon the upper edge of the drawer 23.

Cleats 13 and 18 also serve as bearings for a hinging means 24 which constitutes one of the essential features of the present invention and the hinging means and cleats are so shaped and arranged relative to each other that the outer section 2 may be folded from its extended ironing position to a position in which it engages the inner section to provide a compact structure or from its folded compact state to its extended ironing position either before or after the usual ironing cover is applied to the ironing board. As shown in the drawing and more particularly in Figs. 2, 4, 6 and 7, hinging means 24 is in the form ofa wire or rod provided centrally thereof with a U-shaped bend consisting of legs 25 and 26 and a central connecting portion 27 which connecting portion extends through a transverse slot arranged in the inner lower portion of cleat 18 and when the board is in its extended position, legs 25 and 26 of the U-shaped portion extend inwardly to a position opposite the outer end portions of arms 14 and 15 of cleat 13 and leg 25' terminates in an arm 28 which extends outwardly through a transverse slot in the lower portion of arm 14 of cleat 13 andlleg 26-terminates in an arm-'29 which extends outwardly and outer sections relative to each other is prevented by cleats 13 and 18. The outer portion of section), however, may be moved upwardly relativeto section 1 and when so moved the inner portion of section 2, together with cleat 13, is moved downwardly, and hinging means 24 rotates in the slot in cleat 18 and the slots in arms 14 and 15 of cleat 13 and when outer section 2 is moved to a position in which it is substantially vertical to section 1, the legs 25 and 26 of the hinging means are moved downwardly to a position in which they are also substantially vertical to section 1. Section 2 may then be moved outwardly and upwardly relative to section 1 and during such movement, the legs of the hinging means will also be moved outwardly to a substantially horizontal position substantially parallel with the side walls of tongue 7 as shown in Fig. 7. Section 2 may then be moved downwardly to a position in which its top wall engages the top wall of section 1 and during such movement arcuateshaped wall 30 of cleat 13passes beyond cleat 18 as shown more particularly in dotted lines in Fig; 6 of the drawings and the legs of the hinging means are first moved to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 6 and after the outer section engages the inner section, it is then moved inwardly and during such movement, the legs of the hinging means are moved inwardly in the spaces provided by the offset side edges and 11 of the tongue 7 to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6 and dash-dot lines in Fig. 7. The parts will then be in a position in which the free end of section 2 extends a short distance beyond the panel 20 of the inner section 1 as shown in Fig. 4. If the board is provided with a cover, however, as shown in dot dash lines in Fig. 6, the free end of the outer section will terminate substantially flush with the outer end of panel 20 as shown in Fig. 6.

The inner and outer sections, the cleats 13 and 18, and the panel 20, of my improved ironing board may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal, wood, or the like, or they may be formed of laminated wooden panels which are adherently secured together by suitable means, such as a phenolic condensation product.

In accordance with the present invention, a cover may be applied to the board when the sections are in their extended position in such manner that when the outer section is folded upon the inner section, the cover is folded between the top walls of the sections.

As shown in the drawings, the cover 31 extends over the upper walls of the inner and outer sections of the board and is provided with oppositely disposed flaps 32 and 33 which are spaced inwardly from the parting line 34 of sections 1 and 2 andare secured to the lower side wall of section 1 by suitable means, such as staples .35. In a like manner, a portion of the cover 31 extends over the side edges and end of the outer section 2 and terminates in flaps 36 which are secured to the outer side and end margins of the lower wall of section 2 by suitable means, such as staples 37. It will be noted that the flaps 36 which extend over the side margins of the lower wall of section 2 terminate substantially opposite to the end of the arcuate-shaped opening 3 and a substantial distance from the parting line 34 between the two sections. 'The cover therefore does not interfere in any manner with the folding of the outer section upon the inner section.

Assuming that a cover is in place upon the board during ironing, when the board is in its folded compact state, the cover will be first partly folded when the. outer section is moved to its vertical position and will be completely .folded whenthe outer section is moved to a position overlying the inner section at which time thecoverwill occupy the space between sections 1 and 2, as shown in Fig. 6 and the free end of section 2 will be substantially opposite the outer end of panel 20. It will be noted that the legs of the hinging means are of sutficient length to provide a space between the walls of the inner and outer sections when the outer section is folded upon the inner section as shown in Fig. 6.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, each having top and bottom walls, and portions of the inner end of the outer section being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the inner section to provide a parting line between the two sections when the board is in its extended ironing position and said outer section being provided with a central opening extending from its inner end to a substantial distance therein and said inner section having a tongue substantially coextensive in length with said central opening which tongue is provided with top and bottom walls extending into the opening in the outer section, first means secured to the bottom wall of the outer section having a portion overlapping said tongue and the bottom Wall of the inner section inwardly of said parting line and second means secured to the bottom wall of the tongue of the inner section and overlapping the bottom wall of the outer section for firmly maintaining the board 'in place during ironing, and hinging means having portions rotatably associated with said first and second means, thus permitting the top Wall of the outer section of the board to be moved to a compact position overlying the top wall of the inner section.

2. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, each having top and bottom walls, and portions of the inner end of the outer section being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the inner section to provide a parting line between the inner and outer sections, said outer section being provided with a central opening extending from its inner end to'a substantial distance therein and said inner section having a tongue provided with top and bottom walls extending within the opening of the outer section when the ironing board is in its extended position which tongue is substantially'coextensive in length with said central opening, first and second cleats for firmly supporting said sections in their extended ironing positions, said first cleat having spaced arms secured to the bottom wall of the outer section, each of which arms has a transverse slot therein and one of said arms being arranged adjacent to one side'and the other being arranged adjacent to the opposite side of the opening in the outer section, and said first cleat having a portion overlapping the bottom wall of said tongue and extending beyond the base of said tongue to engage the bottom wall of the inner section beyond said parting line, and said second cleat being secured to the bottom wall of said tongue and being provided with a transverse slot and having a portion overlapping the bottom wall of the outer section beyond said opening when the ironing board is in its extended position, and hinging means having a central portion extending through the transverse slot in the second cleat and arms extending transversely in opposite direction relative to each other from said central portion, one of which arms extends through the transverse slot in one arm of the first cleat and the other of which extends through the transverse slot in the other arm of the first cleat, and said hinging means being rotatable in said slots when the outer section is moved to a position in which its top wall overlies the top wall of the inner section.

3. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, each having top and bottom walls, and portions of the inner end of the outer. sect-ion being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the inner section to provide a parting line between the inner and outer sections when the sections are in their extended ironing position, said outer section being provided with-a stantial distance therein which opening is defined by substantially parallel side walls and an arcuate-shaped end wall and said inner section being provided with a tongue extending into said opening having side walls arranged in close proximity to the side walls of said opening throughout a substantial portion of its length and an arcuate-shaped portion which is arranged in close proximity to the arcuate-shaped endwall at the outer end of said opening, means for bracing the sections of said board against downward movement when the board is used for ironing including a first cleat having spaced side arms arranged .on opposite sides of said opening which arms are secured to the bottom wall of the outer section and each of which arm's-is provided with a transverse slot, and said first cleat having a portion extending over the inner portion of said tongue which overlaps the bottom wall of the inner section beyond said parting line and said bracing means also including a second cleat secured to the outer end portion of said tongue and having a free end portion extending beyond said opening for engaging the bottom wall of the outer section when the board is in its extended ironing position, and hinging means for said board having a transverse portion extending through the transverse slot in the second cleat and a pair of spaced legs which extend inwardly when the board is in its extended ironing position, one of which legs terminates in an arm which passes through the transverse slot in one of the arms of the first cleat and the other of which terminates in an arm which passes through the transverse slot in the other arm of the first cleat, and the outer section of said board being first movable to a substantially vertical position relative to the inner section to move the legs of said, hinge to a substantially vertical position and then outwardly and upwardly to move the legs of said hinge to a position in which they extend outwardly in substantially parallel relation to the side walls of said tongue to permit the inner portion of the first cleat to pass beyond the outer end portion of the second cleat when the outer section of said board is moved downwardly into engagement with the inner section.

4. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, each having top and bottom walls and inner end portions of the outer section being arranged in close proximity to the outer end portion of the inner section to provide a parting line between the inner and outer sections when the board is in its extended position, said outer section being provided with a central opening extending from its inner end to a substantial distance therein which opening is defined by substantially parallel side walls and an arcuate shaped end wall and said inner section being provided with a tongue extending into said opening having side walls arranged in close proximity to the side walls of said open-ing throughout a substantial portion of its length and each of the side walls of said tongue being provided with an offset portion which offset portions terminate in an arcuate-shaped wall which is arranged in close proximity to the arcuate-shaped end wall of the outer end of said opening, means for bracing the sections of said board against downward movement when the board is in its extended position including a first cleat having spaced side arms secured to the outer section and arranged on opposite sides of said opening, each of which arms is provided with a transverse slot, and said first cleat having a portion extending over the inner portion of said tongue which overlaps the bottom wall of the inner section beyond said parting line and said bracing means also including a second cleat having a transverse slot therein which second cleat is secured to the outer end portion of said tongue and said second cleat havin a portion extending beyond the opening in the outer section for engaging the bottom wall of the outer section when the board is in its ironing position, and hinging means for said board having a transverse portion extending through the transverse slot in the second cleat and a pair of spaced legs which extend inwardly when the ironing board is in its extended position, one

of which legs terminates in an arm which passes through outwardly to move the legs of said hinging means to a position in which they extend outwardly in substantially parallelrelation with the side walls of said tongue so that the inner portion of the first cleat will pass beyond the outerend of the second cleat when the outer section of the boardis moved downwardly over the top wall of the innersection and the legs of said hinging means being movable in the offset portions of said tongue when the'outer section is moved inwardly over the inner section of-said board to cause the top wall of the outer section to rest firmly upon the top wall of the inner sec- 1011.

5. A folding ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, each having top and bottom walls, and innot end portions of the outer section being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the inner section to provide a parting line between the inner and outer sections, said outer section being provided with a central opening extending from the inner end to la substantial distance therein which opening is defined by substantially parallel side walls and an arcuate-shaped end wall and said inner section being provided with a tongue extending into said opening having side walls arranged in close proximity to the side walls of said opening throughout a substantial portion of its length and terminating in an arcuate-shaped portion which is arranged in close proximity to the arcuate-shaped end wall at the outer end of the opening, means for bracing the sections of said board against downward movement when the board is in its extended position including a first cleat having spaced side arms secured to the outer section and arranged on opposite sides of said opening, each of which arms is provided with a transverse slot, and said first cleat having a portion extending over the inner portion of said tongue and overlapping the inner section beyond said parting line, and said bracing means also including a second cleat provided with a transverse slot, said second cleat being secured to the outer end portion of said tongue and having a portion extending beyond the opening in the outer section for engaging the bottom wall of the outer section when the board is in its extended ironing position, hinging means for said board having a transverse portion extending through the slot in the second cleat and legs which extend inwardly when the board is in its extended ironing position, one of which legs terminates in an arm which passes-through the transverse slot in one of the arms of the first cleat and the other of which terminates in an arm which passes through the transverse slot in the other arm of the first cleat, a cover for the top wall of said board having a pair of flaps extending over the side edges and margins of the bottom wall of the inner section and flaps extending over the side and end edges and the margin of the bottom wall of the outer section and the flaps on both sections being arranged at a substantial distance from said parting line, and the outer section of said board and the legs of said hinging means being first movable to positions which are substantially vertical to the tongue of the inner section to provide a partial fold in said cover and said outer section being then movable outwardly and upwardly to move the legs of said hinging means to a position in which they extend outwardly in substantially parallel relation to the side walls of said tongue so that the inner portion of the first cleat will pass beyond the free end portion of the second cleat when the outer section of saidboard is moved downwardly over the inner section, and the movement of the outer section over the inner section being effective in completely folding said cover and the legs of said hinging means being of sufficient length to provide a space between the walls of said sections for said cover when the outer section is moved to its folded position.

6. A foldable ironing board consisting of inner and outer sections, each having top and bottom walls, and the inner end of the outer section being arranged in close proximity to the outer end of the inner section to provide a parting line between the two sections when the board is in its extended ironing position and said outer section being provided with a centnal opening extending from its inner end to a substantial distance therein and said inner section having a tongue which is substantially coextensive in length with said opening, said tongue being provided with a top wall which lies in the same plane as the top wall of the outer section and a bottom wall which lies in the same plane as the bottom wall of the outer section when the board is in its extended ironing position, first means secured to the bottom wall of the inner section having a portion overlapping the inner portion of said tongue andthe bottom wall of the inner section inwardly of said parting line and second means secured to the botto'rn wall of the tongue and overlapping the bottom wall of the outer section beyond said opening for fir-rnly maintaining the board in place during ironing, and hinging means having portions rotatably associated with said first and second means when thetop wall of the outer. section is moved to a compact position overlying the top wall of the inner section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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