Frame for holding an ironing board

Abstract

The invention relates to a frame (1, 100) for holding an ironing board (2) comprising a floor element to be positioned on a floor and a clamping means (7, 8; 107, 108) provided on said floor element for clamping cooperation with support legs of said ironing board (2). A first preferred embodiment is comprised of a frame that comprises a tubular frame (100). A second preferred embodiment is comprised of a frame that comprises a slab (1). Said frame (1, 100) furthermore comprises a guiding system for a chair (3; 106), so as to be able to move to and fro along the ironing board (2).

Claims

1. An ironing board supporting system, comprising: an ironing board; a floor element to be positioned on a floor and first and second clamping brackets or retaining clips provided on said floor element for clamping cooperation with first and second support legs of said ironing board, the first clamping bracket or retaining clip clamping the first support leg of the ironing board and the second clamping bracket or retaining clip clamping the second support leg of the ironing board, wherein at least one of the first and second clamping brackets or retaining clips is connected slidably to the frame and configured to vary a distance between the first and second clamping brackets or retaining clips; and a guiding rail guiding a chair along the frame and slidably connectable with the chair so that the chair is movable along the frame.

2. The ironing board supporting system according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a shock absorbing material at a surface to be positioned on said floor.

3. The ironing board supporting system according to claim 1, comprising a guiding rod to be positioned parallel to said frame, for guiding laundry that is to be ironed on the ironing board positioned on said frame.

4. The ironing board supporting system according to claim 3, comprising a supporting member that is adjustable in height for said guiding rod, for adjusting the distance of said guiding rod to said floor element.

5. The ironing board supporting system according to claim 1, wherein the frame has a length of at least 100 cm, preferably at least 120 cm, more preferably at least 150 cm, and a width of at least 50 cm, preferably at least 80 cm, more preferably at least 100 cm, still more preferably at least 120 cm or even at least 150 cm.

6. The ironing board supporting system of claim 1, wherein the floor element comprises two linkable separate elements, one of the separate elements of the floor element comprising the first and second clamping brackets or retaining clips, the frame further comprises a hinge connecting one of the separate elements of the floor element and an other of the separate elements of the floor element.

7. The ironing board supporting system of claim 6, wherein the other of the separate elements of the floor element comprises the guiding rail.

8. The ironing board supporting system of claim 1, further comprising a stopper at an end of the guiding rail.

Description

(1) Hereafter, the invention will be described by means of a drawing. The drawing shows in:

(2) FIG. 1 a schematic top view of a frame according to the invention, further showing an ironing board and a chair,

(3) FIG. 2 a schematic side view of a frame according to FIG. 1 in the direction of arrows II-II,

(4) FIG. 3 a schematic side view of a frame according to FIG. 1 in the direction of arrows III-III,

(5) FIG. 4 an alternative embodiment of the frame according to FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 5 a schematic side view of a guiding system for a chair,

(7) FIG. 6 a schematic view of the guiding rod for guiding laundry,

(8) FIG. 7 an alternative embodiment of the frame according to FIG. 1,

(9) FIG. 8 an alternative embodiment of the frame according to FIG. 2,

(10) FIG. 9 a detailed view of a clamping means,

(11) FIG. 10 an alternative embodiment of a guiding system for a chair,

(12) FIG. 11 a side view of the guiding means according to FIG. 10, and

(13) FIG. 12 a perspective view of the guiding rod according to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

(14) In the figures, the same parts are depicted by means of the same reference numerals. However, not all parts that are required for a practical embodiment have been shown, for ease of understanding the figures.

(15) FIG. 1 shows a schematic top view of a frame 1, embodied as a slab 1. A chair 3 is depicted on top of said slab 1. The slab as shown in FIG. 1 comprises two separate elements 4, 5.

(16) Both separate elements 4, 5 are mutually connected by hinges 6 or connecting or coupling means 6. Both separate elements 4, 5 are embodied symmetrically. By folding them along hinges 6 optionally by detaching coupling means 6, the surfaces thereof to be positioned on a floor can be placed against each other so as to obtain a compact unit. Hence, storing said slab 1 is very easy.

(17) An ironing board 2 is positioned on said separate element 5, as shown in FIG. 4. A first support leg 9 is positioned in a bracket 7 of said slab 5 with a first end 10. A second support leg 11 is positioned in a bracket 8 of said slab 5 with an end 12. Bracket 8 can be slidand connected to said slab 5in a direction to and from the other support leg 7, as indicated by arrow A. As a consequence, the distance between both brackets can be adapted, such that a large number of ironing boards, having different sizes can be connected to the slab.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view, along arrows II-II in FIG. 1. This figure clearly shows that the ends 10, 12 of legs 9, 11 are placed into the brackets 7, 8, respectively. Bracket 8 is movable in a direction to and from bracket 7 as identified by arrow A, after which the bracket can be coupled to said slab 5 in a desired position.

(19) FIG. 2 also clearly shows how a bottom side 13 of separate element 5 is positioned on a floor 14.

(20) In FIG. 3 a side view of an alternative embodiment of the frame as shown in FIG. 1 has been shown. Bracket 7 is clearly visible, the end 10 of support leg 9 being positioned there beneath. As a consequence, support leg 9 is clamped between bracket 7 and separate element 5.

(21) FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 furthermore show a schematic view of a laundry guide 15, comprising a support leg 16 and a guide 17, for example embodied as guiding rod or roll bar 17, that is positioned substantially parallel to said ironing surface 18 of said ironing board 2. As a consequence, large pieces of laundry can easily be drawn upwards onto the ironing surface 18.

(22) Preferably, the height of guide 17 is adjustable. Support leg 16 can be embodied telescopically. FIG. 6 shows a schematic view in the direction of arrows VI-VI of FIG. 3.

(23) Then, FIG. 3 shows a chair 3. Chair 3 is movable along rails 19 and comprises wheels 20 which have a shape that cooperates with the shape of rails 19, such that said wheels are guided safely along said rails 19.

(24) As an alternative embodiment, a chair can be provided, the wheels of which are guided in between said rails 19 along surface 21 of said separate element 4, as shown in FIG. 5. Rails 19 can have any desired shape, provided that wheels 20 cannot easily be moved over said rails when moving said chair to and fro along separate element 4.

(25) FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment from the one shown in FIG. 1, an ironing board 2 being shown and further comprising a laundry guide 15.

(26) To the ends 20, 21 of rails 19 a stopper 22, 23 has been provided, which prevents that wheels 20 (shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5) leave said rails 19. At least one of said stoppers 22, 23 may be detachable, so as to remove said chair, or said trolley for carrying a chair, away from the rails, for example for storing the slab.

(27) FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of frame 1, that is embodied as a tubular frame 100. Tubular frame 100 extends over part of the circumference of frame 1. It comprises tubes 101, 102, 103 and 104, 104. Optionally, tubular parts 104, 104 can be mutually connected, so as to obtain a continuous tubular frame 100. Tube 102 comprises tubular part 102a and a tubular part 102b. Tube 103 comprises tubular part 103a and tubular part 103b, both being mutually connected by means of a pin-hole coupling. Pin 105, especially a security pin, can be positioned into a hole in one of said tubular parts 102a, 102b, or 103a, 103b respectively. Security pin 105 may comprise a retractable ball, as well known in the art.

(28) The present top view also shows a guide slab 122, along which a guiding wheel of said chair 106 may be guided, so as to provide additional guidance. Such is shown in FIG. 10.

(29) Furthermore, FIG. 7 shows a chair 106, a guide rod 117, a guide 119 for moving a chair to and fro and clamping means 107, 108 for positioning legs 109, 110 of an ironing board 111 having an ironing surface 112 (see FIG. 8).

(30) Clamping means 107 is comprised of a few plates that are connected to a tube 103 and which are to be positioned at both sides of leg 109 and are forced towards each other by means of screws or the like. By positioning clamping means 107 pivotally around tube 103, leg 109 can be clamped in a number of different positions. Clamping means 108 is connected pivotally to tube 102 as well, and as a consequence clamping means 108 can be adapted to several positions of leg 110.

(31) FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of clamping means 107. Clamping means 107 comprises a first slab 113 and a second slab 114 which are forced towards each other by means of a bolt 115 and where leg 109 is forcedly held in between said slabs. Said clamping means is connected to said tube 103 rotatably and can be connected thereto by means of a shortcut 116.

(32) FIG. 9 furthermore shows a supporting means 118 at a position below tube 101 for supporting said floor element on a floor.

(33) FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of FIG. 5. A guiding slab 119 is provided on said tube 120. A trolley 121 is guided at both sides of said slab 119 by means of wheels, as shown in FIG. 11, such that a stable and compact guide is obtained. For example, a guide as used in skiffs and in row simulators may be used. A user taking position on seating element 124 of said chair 106, will experience support from back rest 128, especially lumbar support 128.

(34) FIG. 10 also shows an additional guiding wheel 123 which is guided along slab 122 and which provides support to chair 106. When a user rests against lumbar support 128, chair 106 will not tilt.

(35) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the wheeled guide of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

(36) The invention is not limited to the embodiments as mentioned hereinbefore and as shown in the drawing. The invention is limited to the accompanying claims only.

(37) The invention also relates to all combinations of features that have been discussed separately.