Textiles: ironing or smoothing – Ironing tables – Covers or cover-securing means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-03
2001-05-22
Izaguirre, Ismael (Department: 3765)
Textiles: ironing or smoothing
Ironing tables
Covers or cover-securing means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06233854
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a cover for an ironing board and more particularly to a cover for an ironing board that is designed to fit snugly upon an ironing board thereby easing installation and improving usage of the ironing board.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An ironing board is shaped to create an appropriate surface upon which to press clothing and other similar items. It is preferred to cover ironing boards with a cover that is padded to ease pressure and also formed of an appropriate material to allow the iron to glide across the surface. Unfortunately, the shape of an ironing board is an awkward shape to cover. Although the technology exists to create better material to cover the ironing board, there still exists a need for a better cover design to optimize the fit and accord of the ironing board shape.
Several ironing board cover designs attempt to remedy the above-stated problems related to the shape of an ironing board and provide a better fitting cover. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,062 uses a drawstring to secure the cover to the ironing board after installation. Another prior art approach disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,570 uses pleats to alleviate the form-fitting problems. The pleat creates slack in the cover to facilitate the installation of the cover. Also, some prior art covers have used elastic to tighten the cover about the underside of the ironing board. Thus, a larger amount of fabric may be used to fit over the ironing board and then gathered up after the cover is installed. Some covers include standard alligators clips attached with elastic to further tighten the cover at prescribed points. As shown by the prior art, the problem is centered about designing an ironing board cover that is easily installed but thereafter adjustable to fit tightly and snugly about the surface of the ironing board. An important consideration, however, in creating a tightly fitting ironing board cover is the need to make the cover cost-effective for retail sales. Many of the previous methods for tightening the cover to the ironing board use expensive components or larger amounts of material than are necessary. Although the cover may fit snugly, the resulting cost to the consumer is elevated.
There is a need therefore for an ironing board cover that is designed to ease installation, be adjustable to fit snugly about the ironing board, and also be cost-effective to manufacture and sell.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an ironing board cover that includes a top sheet, a pad of substantially the same size as the top sheet attached to the bottom surface of the top sheet, and a skirt attached about the periphery of the top sheet. The skirt is formed of at least one nose portion, at least two side portions extending rearwardly from the nose portion, and at least one heel portion attached to the side portions. Each of the nose portion, side portions, and heel portion includes a hem along the free edge thereof. An adjustable draw cord is housed within the hem. Preferably, the draw cord exits in the hem of the heel portion. The cover of the present invention also has at least one cinch that has a first and a second element. Each element has two ends. The respective first ends of the first element and second element are each attached to corresponding and opposing inner edges of the two side portions of the skirt. The second end of the second element is formed with a ring and the second end of the first element is formed with a hook and loop fastener formed of a hook section and a loop section that is threadedly engageable with the ring of the second element. The cinch may be thereby adjustably tightened by means of the hook and loop fastener to tighten the cover upon the ironing board.
These and other aspects of the present invention as disclosed herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered with the drawings. The drawings are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.
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Brown Deborah Parrott
Levy Richard David
Helmac Products Corporation
Izaguirre Ismael
Rhodes & Mason P.L.L.C.
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