Device for tensioning a drawcord of an ironing board cover

Abstract

The invention refers to a device for tensioning a drawcord extending along a hem of a cover for an ironing board underneath the ironing board, comprising a drum pivoted around an axis of rotation, which is surrounded by a lateral surface for winding up the drawcord, wherein a through-hole passes through the drum perpendicular to the axis of rotation for threading in at least one end of the drawcord in order to anchor it to the drum.

Claims

1. A device (1) for tensioning a drawcord extending along a hem of a cover for an ironing board underneath the ironing board, comprising a drum (2) which is rotatably mounted in a chassis or housing (6) pivotable around an axis of rotation (3), which is surrounded by a lateral surface (4) for winding up the drawcord, characterized by a through-hole (5) passing through the drum (2) perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (3) for threading in at least one end of the drawcord in order to anchor it to the drum (2), wherein edges (26) between the through-hole (5) and the lateral surface (4) of the drum (2) are rounded.

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drum (2) has an elongated shape.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the through-hole (5) has an elongated cross-section, whose longest extension is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the drum (2).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the length of the cross-section of the through-hole (5) is at least 1.5 times larger than the width of the cross-section of the through-hole (5), or is at least 2 times larger than the width of the cross-section of the through-hole (5).

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the edges (26) between the through-hole (5) and the lateral surface (4) of the drum (2) are rounded with a radius of curvature of at least 0.5 mm.

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lateral surface (4) of the drum (2) extends between two end faces of the drum (2) and tapers from these end faces to the middle of the drum (2), especially along two conical surfaces.

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lateral surface (4) of the drum (2) is delimited in the longitudinal direction by projecting flanges (24,25) at one or both end faces of the drum (2).

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the chassis or housing (6) comprises at least a first plate (10) with a circular hole (18) for receiving a portion of the drum (2) in such a way that the longitudinal axis (3) of the drum (2) is perpendicular to the plane of the plate (10).

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the chassis or housing comprises a second plate (11) which is parallel to the first plate (10), and both plates (10, 11) comprise a circular hole (18, 19) each for receiving a portion of the drum (2).

10. The device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the distance between the non-facing sides of the first and second plates (10, 11) is no more than the distance between the facing sides of the flanges (24, 25) at both end faces of the drum (2).

11. The device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the flanges (24, 25) at both end faces of the drum (2) are beyond the non-facing sides of the first and second plates (10, 11) of the chassis or housing (6).

12. The device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first and second plates (10, 11) are held at a constant distance by a lateral surface (13) of the housing (6), which forms in combination with the first and second plates (10, 11) a first chamber (16) housing the drum (2).

13. The device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the lateral surface (13) of the first chamber (16) housing the drum (2) comprises two aligned holes (28), which are aligned with the through-hole (5) of the drum (2) at a special angular position of the drum (2) rotatably mounted inside the first chamber (16).

14. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein a twist grip (29) is attached to the drum (2) in the area of one end face of the drum (2), either at the outside of the regarding end face, or at the outside of a flange (24,25) at the regarding end face, or beyond a first plate (10) of the chassis or housing (6) near the regarding end face of the drum (2).

15. The device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the chassis or housing (6) comprises a third plate (12) beyond the second plate (11), wherein the third plate (12) is parallel to the second plate (11).

16. The device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the second and third plates (11,12) are held at a constant distance by a lateral surface (13) of the housing (6), which forms in combination with the second and third plates (11,12) a second chamber (17).

17. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a ratchet mechanism (33), which enables a rotation of the drum (2) around the axis of rotation (3) only in one direction.

18. The device (1) according to claim 17, further comprising an override mechanism (43) for the ratchet mechanism (33) which, if activated, deactivates the ratchet mechanism (33) and enables a rotation of the drum (2) around the axis of rotation (3) in both directions.

19. The device (1) according to claim 17, wherein the ratchet mechanism (33) and/or an override mechanism (43) is housed in a Ere second chamber (17) of the housing (6).

20. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the drum (2) comprises a bar-shaped extension (34) projecting parallel and coaxial to the axis of rotation (3) and having a cross-shaped or star-shaped cross-section.

21. The device (1) according to claim 20, further comprising a ratchet body (35) with a recess in the form of a tunnel or a blind hole which fits over the bar-shaped extension (34) of the drum (2) in an interlocking manner in order to prevent a relative rotation between the ratchet body (35) and the drum (2), although a relative displacement in the longitudinal direction of the ratchet body (35) relative to the drum (2) is possible.

22. The device (1) according to claim 21, wherein the ratchet body (35) comprises a cylindrical section (36) and a collar (37) protruding over the cylindrical section (36) in a radial direction.

23. The device (1) according to claim 22, wherein the collar (37) is situated near the end face of the ratchet body (35) adjacent to the third plate (12).

24. The device (1) according to claim 23, wherein a helical compression spring (38) is stuck over the cylindrical section (36) of the ratchet body (35), especially between a flange (25) of the drum (2) near the second plate (11) on the one hand and the collar (37) of the ratchet body (35) on the other hand.

25. The device (1) according to claim 24, wherein the helical compression spring (38) urges the ratchet body (35) in a direction towards the third plate (12) of the housing (6).

26. The device (1) according to claim 25, wherein the end surface of the ratchet body (35) facing the third plate (12) comprises a row of saw teeth (39) projecting against the third plate (12).

27. The device (1) according to claim 26, wherein the row of saw teeth (39) extends along the periphery of the end face of the ratchet body (35).

28. The device (1) according to claim 26, wherein the surface of the third plate (12) facing towards the ratchet body (35) comprises one or more saw teeth (40) as pendants to the saw teeth (39) at the ratchet body (35), in order to enable a relative rotation only in a direction where the inclined surfaces (41) of the saw teeth (39,40) can move relative to each other.

29. The device (1) according to claim 15, wherein the third plate (12) comprises a circular hole (20) for receiving a press button (44) of the override mechanism (43).

30. The device (1) according to claim 29, wherein the press button (44) can be pressed against the force of the helical compression spring (38) in order to free the saw teeth (39,40) from each other and to enable a rotation of the ratchet body (35) relative to the housing (6) in both directions.

31. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the housing (6) is assembled from two halves (7,8) which can be snapped together.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features, details, advantages and effects on the basis of the invention will be seen from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as well as from the drawing. Therein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for tensioning a cord of an ironing board cover according to the invention, consisting of a housing and a twist grip, where it can be seen that the housing of the device consists of two identical halves which are assembled with each other along a vertical symmetrical plane;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the device according to FIG. 1, showing the exterior surface of one half of the housing of the device together with the twist grip;

(4) FIG. 3 is a view onto the inside of one of the two halves of the housing before the assembly, but where the twist grip has already been inserted; and

(5) FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the device according to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) The device 1 shown in the drawing can be used to fix a cover to an ironing board, especially by tensioning a drawcord, which extends along a hem of the cover underneath the ironing board.

(7) For this purpose, the device 1 comprises a drum 2 pivoted around an axis of rotation 3, which is surrounded by a lateral surface 4 for winding up the drawcord and comprises a through-hole 5 for threading through the drawcord before rotating the drum 2.

(8) For a precise orientation of the axis of rotation 3, the drum 2 is mounted in a rotatable manner inside of a housing 6. This housing is assembled from two halves 7, 8, which are in contact with each other along a common contact or separation plane 9.

(9) As can be seen best in FIG. 3, where the housing 6 is opened. The complete housing 6 consists of three parallel plates 10, 11, 12, namely a first plate 10, which is the lowermost one in FIG. 3, a second plate 11 in the middle of FIG. 3, and a third plate 12 at the top of FIG. 3. These three plates 10, 11, 12 are connected to each other via a lateral surface 13 of the housing 6.

(10) Although these plates 10, 11, 12 as well as the lateral surface 13 are all referred to as one part in the specification, it should be noted that, for the purpose of a simple assembly of the device 1, they are all divided into two halves, each of which is a part of one of the two housing halves 8, 9.

(11) Furthermore, to allow a quick assembly of the housing 6 from its two halves 7, 8, there are projections 14, 15 provided at the inner surfaces 16 of the two halves 7, 8, which fit precisely together with the projections 14, 15 of the opposite half 8, 7 as pendants. These projections 14, 15 of different halves 7, 8 may be snapped together by a light pressure onto the two housing halves 7, 8, so that ideally, the housing 6 can be assembled without any adhesive, within a few seconds.

(12) The lateral surface 13 may be formed with rounded edges, which is a matter of minimizing any risk of injury.

(13) Furthermore, all plates 10, 11, 12 have the same area and shape, and therefore, the cross-section of the housing 6 is constant over its entire length or height, respectively.

(14) As can be seen from FIG. 3, the interior of the housing 6 is divided into two chambers 16, 17. A first chamber 16 is formed by the first plate 10, the second plate 11 and a lower part of the lateral surface 13, whereas a second chamber 17 is encompassed by the second plate 11, the third plate 13 and an upper part of the lateral surface 13. The volumes of both chambers 16, 17 can be identical or nearly identical.

(15) As the geometry of all plates 10, 11, 12 is rectangular, preferably with rounded corners, both chambers 16, 17 have an elongated shape, with a horizontal length extending parallel to the separation plane 9, while the width as well as the height of each chamber 16, 17 is substantially shorter than the regarding length.

(16) Both chambers 16, 17 communicate with each other through a central opening 19 in the second plate 11. This central opening 19 is aligned with a central opening 18 in the first plate 10 and with a central opening 20 in the third plate 12. In the following, the central opening 18 in the first plate 10 will be denoted as first opening 18, the central opening 19 in the second plate 11 will be denoted as second opening 19, and the central opening 20 in the third plate 12 will be denoted as third opening 20. The first and second openings 18, 19 have a circular cross-section, and preferably the third opening 20, too.

(17) A body 21 comprising the drum 2 extends through the first and second openings 18, 19.

(18) The central portion of this body 21 is formed by the drum 2. Preferably, the lateral surface 4 of the drum 2 is not in the form of a cylindrical casing, but it is shaped like two antiparallel conical surfaces which are connected at their tapered ends. This results in a geometry of the drum 2 with the lateral surface 4 being tapered in the middle between two end portions 22, 23.

(19) These two end portions 22, 23 are in the form of flat cylindrical discs with a cylindrical perimeter, and preferably, the diameter of the drum 2 converges to the diameter of the regarding end 22, 23 and merges into the regarding cylindrical end 22, 23 without any step.

(20) The distance between the two cylindrical end portions 22, 23 is identical to the distance between the first and second plate 10, 11. Furthermore, as the diameter of the two cylindrical end portions 22, 23 of the body 21 is the same as the diameter of the first and second opening 18, 19, the cylindrical end portions 22, 23 can be received in the first and second openings 18, 29 like a shaft in friction bearings.

(21) In order to hold the body 21 comprising the drum 2 in place and to prevent a longitudinal displacement thereof, both cylindrical end portions 22, 23 are delimited in the longitudinal direction between the conical lateral surface 13 of the drum on the one hand and an adjoining flange 24, 25 with a greater diameter on the other hand.

(22) These adjoining flanges 24, 25 extend along the first and second plates 10, 11 outside of the first chamber 16. As the diameter of these flanges 24, 25 is even greater than the diameter of the first and second openings 18, 19, they cannot slip through the first and second openings 18, 19, but hold the drum 2 of the body 21 in position between the first and second plates 10, 11that is inside of the first chamber 16. The only permitted movement relative to the housing 6 of the body 21 comprising the drum 2 is a rotation around the axis of rotation 3.

(23) The drum 2 is equipped with a through-hole 5 for threading through a two ends of a drawcord of a ironing board cover. This through-hole 5 has an elongated cross-section extending through the lateral surface 4 of the drum 2 between both cylindrical end portions 22, 23. The cross-section of this through-hole 5 is rounded, as well as the edges 26 between the inner side 27 of the through-hole 5 and the lateral surface 4 of the drum 2, in order to avoid any sharp edges which could harm a drawcord threaded into the through-hole 5.

(24) In order to enable such a threading of the ends of a drawcord into the through-hole 5, the lateral surface 13 of the housing 6 is provided with two holes 28, preferably elongated holes which are similar in shape to the cross-section of the through-hole 5, and which are aligned with the through-hole 5, if the body 21 is in an angular position where the orientation of a line traversing the drum 2 along the through-hole 5 is perpendicular to the lateral surface 13 of the housing adjacent to the drum 2.

(25) So, in such an angular position of the body 21, the ends of a drawcord can be threaded directly through the housing 6 from one side to the other side, and accurate through the through-hole 6 in the drum 2. In order to find this angular position easily, the end portion 22 near the first plate 10 is equipped with a twist grip 29.

(26) The twist grip 29 comprises a base plate 30 which is parallel to the first plate 10 and has the same size and shape as the first plate 10, especially a rectangular shape was rounded corners, and further a grip plate 31 projecting perpendicularly from the base plate 30 outwards along a linking line 32. The grip plate 31 is used as the actual grip and may be grasped between two fingers or between the thumb and the forefinger.

(27) The twist grip 29 is formed integrally with the body 21 or is fixed thereto in a torque-proof manner, in a position where the orientation of a line traversing the drum 2 along the through-hole 5 is perpendicular to the grip plate 31. Therefore, in a relative position, where the linking line 32 is aligned with the separation plane 9 of the housing 6, the through-hole 5 is aligned with the holes 29 in the housing 6, and a drawcord can be threaded entirely through the housing 6 of the device 1.

(28) After feeding the drawcord through the device 1 in this manner, the grip 29 can be twisted in order to rotate the drum 2 and to wind the drawcord onto the lateral surface 4 of the drum 2. A further mechanism is required to lock an angular position of the drum 2 after the ends of the drawcord have been wound around the drum 2 and the drawcord has been tensioned in this way. This mechanism is a ratchet mechanism 33 which is arranged in the second chamber 17 of the housing 6.

(29) One element of the ratchet mechanism 33 is a protrusion or bar-shaped extension 34 of the body 21 which extends beyond the second flange 25 and is parallel to the longitudinal axis or axis of rotation 3 of the drum 2. This bar-shaped extension 34 has a cross-shaped or star-shaped cross-section and is used as a guidance for a ratchet body 35.

(30) The ratchet body 35 is provided with a recess in the form of a tunnel or a blind hole which fits over the bar-shaped extension of the drum. The cross-section of the recess in the ratchet body 35 is identical or similar to the cross-section of the bar-shaped extension 34. Therefore, the ratchet body 35 is permitted to slide along the bar-shaped extension 34, but cannot twist relative to the drum body 21.

(31) Furthermore, the ratchet body 35 comprises a cylindrical portion 36 facing the second flange 25 of the drum body 21, and a collar 37 extending radially outwards from the cylindrical portion 36 near the third plate 12 of the housing 6.

(32) A helical compression spring 38 is stuck over the cylindrical portion 36 of the ratchet body 35, especially between the regarding flange 25 of the drum body 21 near the second plate 11 on the one hand and the collar 37 of the ratchet body 35 on the other hand and urges the ratchet body 35 apart from the drum body 21.

(33) The collar 37 is provided at its end face facing away from the drum body 21 with a row of saw teeth 39. This row extends completely around the collar's circumference of the collar 37, and all saw teeth 39 have the same shape and are lined up along the row in the same direction.

(34) One or more saw teeth 40 are provided at the inner side of the third plate 12 as pendants to the saw teeth 39 in the row at the ratchet body 35. Therefore, if the twist grip 29 is rotated in a direction where the inclined edges 41 of the saw teeth 39, 40 are shifted over each other, the drum body 21 can be rotated, because the ratchet body 35 is urged by the saw teeth 39, 40 towards the second plate 11. In the other direction, the vertical edges 42 of the saw teeth prevent any rotation of the drum body 21.

(35) On the other hand, a release mechanism is necessary in case the drawcord shall be released. This is achieved by an override mechanism 43 which is realized by an elevated press button 44 at the center of the end face of the collar 37 facing away from the cylindrical portion 36. This press button 44 has a diameter equal to or smaller than the third opening 20 in the third plate 12, and protrudes through this opening 20 to the outside of the housing 6. If this press button 44 is pressed, the ratchet body 35 is urged towards the drum 2 and the saw teeth 39 of the ratchet body 35 are freed from the saw teeth 40 at the third plate 12, thereby allowing a rotation of the ratchet body 35 in any direction. This degree of freedom is transferred onto the drum body 21 which is allowed to rotate in both directions, too.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

(36) 1 device 2 drum 3 axis of rotation 4 lateral surface 5 through-hole 6 housing 7 half 8 half 9 separation plane 10 first plate 11 second plate 12 third plate 13 lateral surface 14 projection 15 projection 16 first chamber 17 second chamber 18 first opening 19 second opening 20 third opening 21 drum body 22 cylindrical end portion 23 cylindrical end portion 24 flange 25 flange 26 edge 27 inner side 28 hole 29 twist grip 30 base plate 31 grip plate 32 linking line 33 ratchet mechanism 34 bar-shaped extension 35 ratchet body 36 cylindrical portion 37 collar 38 helical compression spring 39 saw tooth 40 saw tooth 41 inclined edge 42 vertical edge 43 override mechanism 44 press button