US3473767A - Ironing board cord holder - Google Patents

Description

1969 F. c. SCHWANEKE IRONING BOARD CORD HOLDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1967 VII/J m INVENTOR.

fedz z'afz f'amzzew 1 dfnATTORNE Y8 Oct. 21, 19% F. c. SCHWANEKE 3,473,767

IRONING BOARD CORD HOLDER Filed Dec. 8, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ff'adzjz'd/z dfifiwazzefl M $4 Y'MTTORNEYS 3,473,767 IRONING BOARD CORD HOLDER Fredrich C. Schwaneke, Chicago, 111., assignor to Northern Electric Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 689,075

Int. Cl. F161 3/00 US. (ll. 248-51 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A universal bracket and clamp asssembly for a cord holder to be mounted on an ironing board which can be mounted on a number of ironing board types and having a stored position so the cord holder is positively locked out of the way to prevent snagging and catching of material on the cord holder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a bracket for cord holder for an ironing board and in particular to a bracket which may be mounted on a number of ironing boards of difierent types and which allows the cord holder to be stored out of the way beneath the board when not in use.

The power cord of an iron often gets in the way of the user. It has been found that by supporting the cord above the ironing board the cord is out of the users way. Prior ironing cord holders attachable to ironing boards were designed primarily for ironing boards of particular sizes. There are many variations in ironing boards since they are made in different sizes, and are constructed of different materials. The downwardly extending rims formed about metal boards are of different sizes and shapes. Ironing boards are covered by a pad SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a novel bracket for a cord holder for an ironing board which may be mounted on many types of boards.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bracket for a cord holder for an iron in which the cover of the ironing board may be easily removed and replaced without removing the cord holder.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bracket for a cord holder for an ironing board in which all sharp points of the holding bracket are positioned so that they do not engage and catch on material being ironed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a pivoted cord holder for an iron which pivots to a stored position so that it is substantially under the ironing board.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a positive locking means for an ironing board cord holder which will positively lock the holder in the used or stored positions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide an adjustable clamp foot for use with a bracket for an iron cord holder which may be positioned to selected positions for engaging and locking the bracket to ironing boards of different configurations.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clamp for an ironing cord holder which has a clamp that in response to being tightened draws an upper surface of its mounting bracket against a lower surface of the ironing board.

ted States Patent 3,473,767 Patented Oct. 21, 1969 'ice A feature of this invention is found in the provision for a bracket for a cord holder for an ironing board which is adaptable to be connected to a number of different types and shapes of ironing boards and which may be firmly and securely attached to the ironing board. A positive lock assures that the cord holder may be retained in any one of four positions. The cord holder is pivoted on an axis so that when moved from the operating position to the stored position the cord holder moves out of the way under the ironing board. A clamp assembly forms a part of the mounting bracket and has an adjustable clamp foot. The clamp foot is pivotally attached to the clamp assembly and may be positioned in one of two selected positions.

Further features, objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description and claims when read in View of the drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of an ironing board with a cord holder;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cord holder;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the bracket of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the bracket;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on line VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bracket with the clamp assembly in position;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the clamp assemy;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the clamp assembly with the clamp foot rotated relative to FIGS. 6 and 7; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the clamp assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGURE 1 shows an ironing board 10 with an ironing cord holder 16 mounted on it. The ironing board has a top 11 and legs 12 and 13 with feet 14 and 15. The cord holder 16 has a cord supporting member 17 which carries a cord retainer 18 at its upper end thereof. A spring 19 connects the support 17 to the bracket assembly 20 which is attached to the ironing board.

A power outlet socket 21 is attached to the bracket assembly 20 and has an extension cord 22 with a plug 23 for connecting into a suitable electrical outlet. As best shown in FIGURES 2-5, the power outlet 21 and spring 19 are connected to a bracket assembly 20 comprising a first crank-shaped member 24 which has a first portion 26 to which the power outlet 21 is connected by rivets or other suitable means. A retainer point 27 is formed at the upper end of portion 26 and fits into the lower end of spring 19 to firmly attach the spring 19 and supporting member 17 to the bracket 20. The other end 29 of crank-shaped member 24 extends generally downwardly and inwardly relative to the edge of the ironing board. A second crank-shaped member 31 has a first portion 32 formed with an opening 33 and a second portion 34 at right angles to the portion 32. An inwardly and downwardly extending third portion 36 of member 31 is pivotally attached to portion 29 of the member 24 by a pin 37. The pin 37 is attached by a rivet 38 or other suitable means 38 to the portion 29 and extends through an opening formed in the portion 36. The pin 37 has an enlarged head 39 and a spring 41 is mounted between the head 39 and the portion 36.

The member 31 is wider than member 24 and locking means are formed in the portion 36 of member 31 to positively lock the bracket member 24 to the bracket memher 31. To accomplish this, a pair of projections 42 and 43 are formed in either side of the portion 36 and fit on either side of the portion 29 of the bracket member 24. The extensions 42 and 43, as best shown in FIGURE 3 are formed above the point of pivot of the pin 37 and engage the outer edge of the member 24 so as to positively and firmly lock the bracket in one of four positions.

By pushing the member 24 to the left relative to FIG- URE 4, the portion 29 will clear the projections 42 and 43 and the portion 24 may be pivoted to the left or right into second and third locked storage positions. In these positions the projections 42 and 43 engage the side edge of the member 24 to hold it. If for any reason it is desired to pivot the bracket member 24 to a down position relative to FIGURE 4, it may also be moved to that locked position by pushing the member 24 to the left relative to FIGURE 4, and moving member 24 until it has been reversed 180 relative to FIGURE 4. The projections 42 and 43 will fit on either side of portion 29 to lock it in that position. Note that projections 42 and 43 are not aligned with pin 37 but are above pin 37 relative to FIG- URE 5. This increases their moment arms relative to the pivot point and results in a more efiective lock. The opening 33 may be used to mount the bracket assembly on a wood or metal ironing board. FIGURE 4 illustrates a wood board 46 with a wood screw 44 mounted through opening 33 of portion 32 and into the board 46. An ironing board pad 47 is mounted on top of the ironing board 46, and an ironing board cover 48 with downwardly extending side 49 fits over the ironing board pad and portion 33 of member 31. The cover fits under the ironing board and is held by a draw string 51. The bracket assembly could also be mounted on the downwardly extending edge of a metal board by using a bolt and nut instead of the screw 44.

Such an arrangement allows the ironing board cover 48 to extend downwardly over any sharp edges formed on portions 32 and 34 of bracket member 31. The portions 29 and 36 of the bracket assembly are mounted under the confines of the ironing board and pieces being ironed will not catch on them.

In use, the structure of FIGURE 4 is used by inserting plug 23 into a suitable power outlet and the plug of an iron (not shown) is inserted in the outlet 21. The cord of the iron is placed in and held by the cord retainer 18 of the support 17, and the iron is ready for use. The irons cord sometimes exerts pressure on the cord retainer 18 and support 17 and the spring 19 allows some movement of the support. However, the bracket assembly of this invention is firmly attached to the ironing board and the locking lugs 42 and 43 firmly hold member 24 to member 31 so that pivoting does not occur about the pin 37.

When ironing has been completed the support may be moved to the stored position by moving support 17 and member 24 to the left relative to FIGURE 4 so that the locking lugs 42 and 43 disengage the sides of portion 29, and the member 24 may then be pivoted down under the ironing board 46. It is to be particularly noted that the portion 36 does not form a right angle with the bottom of the board 46 but extends to the right relative to FIGURE 4, so that the pivot axis of the pin 37 is not horizontal. This results in the cord support 17 moving under the board as it is pivoted to the stored position. It will be substantially out of the way and will minimize the space required for storing the board.

FIGURES 6 through 9 illustrate a clamp assembly designated generally as 51. The clamp assembly 51 is attachable to the bracket assembly to attach the cord holder to channel type board with downwardly extending edges. The clamp assembly 51 comprises a clamp foot 52 of generally V-shape formed with outwardly extending lugs 53, 54, 56 and 53a, 54a and 56a (not shown). The central portion 57 of the clamp foot 52 is formed with an opening 58 through which a projection 59 of a clamp member 61 loosely extends. The end 60 of the projection 59 is upset so that the clamp foot 52 is loosely held to the clamp member 61. As best shown in FIGURE 9, the clamp member 61 is formed of three sections, a foot-supporting section 62, a central section 63 and a short bracket assembly engaging portion 64. A thumb screw 66 is received through an opening formed in the central portion 63 with a bearing washer 68 under it and a retaining washer 67 of fiber material is mounted on screw 66 on the other side of portion 63.

A threaded opening 69 is formed through portion 36 of the bracket member 31. The opening is formed between lugs and portion 36 of the member 31. The threaded portion 71 of thumb screw 66 is received through opening 69 and the thumb screw extends generally parallel to pin 37. Applicant has discovered that if the mounting pin 59 and thumb screw 66 are between 8 and 15 from the horizontal (relative to FIGURE 6) rather than in the horizontal plane that a number of advantages result.

The clamp assembly 51 allows the bracket assembly 20 to be attached to many difierent types of ironing boards. As shown in FIGURES 7 and 8, ironing boards have downwardly extending channels of different configurations. The ironing board in FIGURES 6 and 7 has a channel 72 formed with an indentation 73 and an inwardly extending ledge 75 and an upwardly extending lip 74. The clamp foot 52 may be positioned so that the lugs 53 through 56 and 53a through 560 engage respectively upper and lower portions 76 and 77 of the channel 72 so the V portion of the foot 52 fits about the indentation 73. as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7. FIGURE 7 illustrates how the foot 52 may be mounted behind the lip 74. The foot 52 is pivotally connected to member 61 which allows the foot to be over the lip 74 into position. After the foot 52 has been positioned into the channel 72, as shown in FIGURE 7, the clamp assembly 51 may be attached to the bracket assembly 20, as shown in FIGURE 6. my threading the thumb screw 66 into the opening 69 formed in portion 36 of the member 31. As shown in FIGURE 0. the portion 33 of the bracket member 31 engages the outer wall of channel 72. The pad 47 is mounted on the top 11 of the board and the cover 48 is fitted over the board and downwardly over portion 33 and is held beneath the portion 34 of the bracket assembly by a draw string 51. The screw 66 is tightened until the unit is firmly attached to channel 72.

FIGURE 8 illustrates an ironing board with a downwardly extending rib 79 formed with a folded back end 81. The center portion 80 is depressed as shown. To attach the bracket assembly to this board the foot 52 1S turned from its position in FIGURES 6 and 7 and the extensions 54 and 54a engage the center portion 80 and the folded back end 81 to lock the bracket assembly to the board.

The angle at which thumb screw 66 is mounted on :he bracket assembly causes a downward force to be applied by the projections 54 and 54a on the end 81. As the thumb screw is tightened, the clamp assembly 51 is rigidly attached to the bracket assembly and the board. The portion 64- is shorter than portion 62 and the foot 52 will be positively held against the rib 79.

The angle of the pin 39 with respect to the horizontal controls the extent that the support 17 will swing under the ironing board. By bending the end portion 36 between the thumb screw 66 and the pin 39, this angle may be adjusted, for example, to 8 from the horizontal.

It is seen that this invention provides a bracket assembly which may be mounted to an ironing board directly or with a clamp assembly. The bracket members 61, 31 and 24 may be made of flat metal stock, for example.

The principles of the invention explained in connection with the specific exemplifications thereon will suggest many other applications and modifications of the same. it is accordingly desired that in construing the breadth of the appended claims they shall not be limited to the specific details shown and described in connection with the exemplifications thereof.

I claim:

1. An electric cord holder for being attached to an ironing board comprising;

(a) a pair of crank-shaped members having end portions and middle portions;

(b) a first end portion of the second crank-shaped member being engageable with the ironing board;

(c) attaching means pivotally connecting the second end portions of the first and second crank-shaped members together;

(d) a cord-supporting member attached to the first end portion of the first crank-shaped member; and

(e) the first end portions of the crank-shaped members extending in non-parallel relation to the second end portions.

2. A cord holder according to claim 1 having locking means for holding the first and second crank-shaped members in selected positions.

3. A cord holder according to claim 2, wherein the locking means comprises a pair of projections formed on one of the second end portions engageable with the edges of the other second end portion.

4. A cord holder according to claim 3, wherein the one of the second end portions is wider than the other second end portion and the projections are formed by upsetting the edges of the one second end portions.

5. A cord holder according to claim 4, wherein the projections formed on one of the second portions are out of alignment with the attaching means.

6. A cord holder according to claim 1, wherein the attaching means comprises a pin attached to one of the econd end portions, an opening formed in the other second end portion and the pin receivable therein, and biasing means attached to the pin for resiliently holding the second end portions together.

7. A cord holder according to claim 6, in which the biasing means comprises a spring, a head formed on the pin beyond the confines of the second end portions, and the spring mounted between the head and the second end portions.

3. A cord holder according to claim 1, wherein the second end portions of the first and second crank arms make an angle in the range of 5 to 30 with the first end portions of the first and second crank arms.

9. A cord holder according to claim 1, wherein, the second end portions of the first and second crank arms make an angle in the range of 5 to 15 with the first end portions of the first and second crank arms.

10. A cord holder according to claim 1, wherein the second end portions of the first and second crank arms make an angle of about 8 with the first end portions of the first and second crank arms.

11. A cord holder according to claim 1 for being attached to an ironing board having a downwardly extending channel, including a clamp assembly having adjustable mounting means attaching the clamp assembly to the second end portion of the second crank-shaped member and having a channel engaging portion adapted to lock the second crank-shaped member to the ironing board.

12. A cord holder according to claim 11, wherein the channel engaging portion is at one end of the clamp assembly.

13. A cord holder according to claim 12, wherein the other end of the clamp assembly is engageable with the second end portion of the second crank-shaped member.

14. A cord holder according to claim 11 wherein the clamp assembly comprises a clamp member and said channel engaging portion comprises a clamp foot mountable on one end of the clap member and operatively' associated with the first end portion of the second crankshaped member such that the channel of the board is clamped between the clamp foot and first end portion of the second crank-shaped member.

15. A cord holder according to claim 14, wherein said clamp foot is generally V-shaped and is pivotally attached to the clamp member such that it can be moved to different engaging positions.

16. A cord holder according to claim 15 having a plurality of lugs attached to ends of the clamp foot.

17. A cord holder according to claim 11, in which the mounting means comprises a threaded shaft which is attached to the clamp assembly and is threaded into the second end portion.

18. A cord holder according to claim 17, wherein the threaded shaft comprises a thumb screw.

19. A cord holder according to claim 17, wherein the second end portions of the first and second crank arms make an angle in the range of 5 to 30 with the first end portions of the first and second crank arms.

20. A cord holder according to claim 17, wherein the second end portions of the first and second crank arms make an angle in the range of 10 to 20 with the first end portions of the first and second crank arms.

21. A cord holder according to claim 18, wherein the second end portions of the first and second crank arms make an angle of about 15 with the first end portions of the first and second crank arms.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,530,529 3/ 1925 Weber 248291 X 2,546,589 3/1951 Felts 248-51 2,488,255 11/ 1949 Allen 248-51 1,363,231 12/1920 Danly 248--289 X CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

Images