Textiles: ironing or smoothing – Smoothing implements – Flatirons
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-16
2001-07-17
Izaguirre, Ismael (Department: 3765)
Textiles: ironing or smoothing
Smoothing implements
Flatirons
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260295
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to an electric flatiron and more particularly to an electric flatiron which is adapted to be automatically raised above the fabric material being ironed a sufficient distance to eliminate or reduce the possibility that the fabric or other material being ironed will be scorched or burned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A search of U.S. patents for electric flatirons which incorporate structure which permits the lowering and raising of the hot sole plate of the flatiron into and out of contact with the material being ironed produced the following U.S. patents somewhat pertinent to applicant's invention, namely: U.S. Pat. No. 2,072,217 to Reed, U.S. Pat. No. 2,076,614 to Bowman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,703 to Hilldale, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,059 to Brace.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,072,217 to Reed is directed to a detachable lift for a flatiron for selectively raising and lowering the sole plate of the flatiron into and out of engagement with the material to be ironed dependent upon the application of pressure, or release thereof, from the handle of the flatiron. The raising of the sole plate of the flatiron from engagement with the material to be ironed eliminates the possibility of burning or scorching of the material to be ironed.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,076,614 to Bowman is directed to a flatiron mounted on a spring-urged sub-base which is adapted to engage the material to be ironed. The sub-base can be selectively forced and locked into intimate contact with the sole plate of the flatiron to facilitate the transfer of heat from the sole plate to the sub-base by downward pressure of the handle of the flatiron during the ironing process. When the ironing process is completed and pressure is removed from the handle, the springs will force the flatiron up to provide clearance between the sub-base and the sole plate to eliminate the possibility of scorching or burning of the material to be ironed.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,703 to Hilldale and U.S. Pat. No. 2,770,059 to Brace are directed to flatirons having mechanisms incorporated therein for selectively lowering and raising the hot sole plate of the flatiron into and out of contact with the material to be ironed. When the sole plate of the flatiron is raised out of contact with the material to be ironed or the cover of the ironing board itself, there is little likelihood of scorching or burning of either the material or the cover.
These prior art flatirons have presented many problems and disadvantages particularly when compared to the improved flatiron of the present invention. Each of the flatirons or attachments therefor disclosed in these prior art patents serves as standard flatirons with their accompanying problems of scorching or burning of materials. The primary feature of each of these prior art devices resides in a safety feature operable either before or after ironing which involve the lifting of the sole plate or the heating element away from the material being ironed. There is a need, therefore, for a relatively inexpensive electric flatiron of simple construction which substantially eliminates the scorching or burning of material to be ironed. This is especially so when the material to be ironed is silk, rayon or the like. The electric flatiron of the present invention fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention as shown in
FIGS. 1-5
, a simple and inexpensive flatiron is provided which substantially eliminates the scorching or burning of fabric material to be ironed. The flatiron of the present invention generally comprises a metallic sole plate with a plurality of spaced bores therein, a conventional molded housing having a handle, and spring urged ball bearing glide assemblies mounted within each spaced bore within the sole plate having heating elements therein which are in electrical contact in a conventional fashion to electrical leads.
When incorporated in a flatiron of the steam variety, the present invention, as shown in
FIGS. 1-5
, has two modes of operation during the ironing process, namely: a natural up-mode wherein the flatiron rides on a plurality of ball bearing glide assemblies with balls which extend below the lower surface of the sole plate to hold the lower surface of the sole plate out of contact with the material being ironed; and a down-mode of operation wherein pressure upon the handle of the flatiron causes the balls of the ball bearing glide assembles to be retracted upwardly beyond the lower surface of the sole plate to allow the sole plate to engage the material being ironed. When the flatiron is in its natural up-mode of operation, it possesses the unique capability of steam ironing fabric materials such as nylon, silk, and rayon, which normally scorch or burn easily, without burning or scorching the material being ironed. When the flatiron is in its natural up-mode of operation, the flatiron rides or glides on the balls of ball bearing glide assemblies during the ironing process, with the sole plate being out of engagement with the material being ironed, to eliminate or reduce the possibility of the material being scorched or burned. This raising of the flatiron off of the material being ironed also improves the steam action. When ironing material that is not easily scorched or burned as is nylon, silk or rayon, the user can apply pressure to the handle of the flatiron to place the flatiron in its down-mode of operation wherein the sole plate actually engages the material being ironed during the ironing process. When a user is not actually engaged in the ironing process, the user's release of the handle of the flatiron will cause the balls of the ball bearing glide assemblies to be extended beyond the lower surface of the sole plate to hold the sole plate out of contact with the material and/or the ironing board.
In accordance with the present invention as shown in
FIGS. 6-9
, a simple and inexpensive flatiron is provided which substantially eliminates the scorching or burning of fabric material to be ironed. The flatiron of the present invention as shown in
FIGS. 6-9
generally comprises a conventional metallic sole plate having heating elements therein which are in electrical contact in a conventional fashion to electrical leads, a conventional molded housing having a handle, and a spring urged skirt secured to the molded housing.
When incorporated in a flatiron of the steam variety, the present invention has two modes of operation during the ironing process, namely: a natural up-mode wherein the flatiron rides on the skirt which extends below the lower surface of the sole plate to hold the lower surface of the sole plate out of contact with the material being ironed; and a down-mode of operation wherein pressure upon the handle of the flatiron causes the spring urged skirt to be retracted upwardly in alignment with the lower surface of the sole plate to allow the sole plate to engage the material being ironed. When the flatiron is in its natural up-mode of operation, its possesses the unique capability of steam ironing fabric materials such as nylon, silk, and rayon, which normally scorch or burn easily, without burning or scorching the material being ironed. When the flatiron is in its natural up-mode of operation, the flatiron rides on the skirt during the ironing process, with the sole plate being out of engagement with the material being ironed, to eliminate or reduce the possibility of the material being scorched or burned. This raising of the flatiron off of the material being ironed also improves the steam action. When ironing material that is not easily scorched or burned as is nylon, silk or rayon, the user can apply pressure to the handle of the flatiron to place the flatiron in its down-mode of operation wherein the sole plate actually engages the material being ironed during the ironing process. When a user is not actually engaged in the ironing process, the user's release of the handle of the flatiron will cause the skirt to be extended well beyond the lower surface of the sole plate
Garvin, Jr. John C.
Izaguirre Ismael
The Nickelworks, Inc.
Waddy & Patterson, P.C.
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