Patent Publication Number: US-8112917-B1

Title: Ironing aid

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates in general to an ironing aid, and pertains, more particularly, to a simple device that can be used manually to assist in the ironing of various types of clothing including, but not limited to, shirts, blouses and pants. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are various types of prior art devices that are meant to be inserted into the sleeve of a shirt or the pant leg of a pair of pants. However, for the most part these devices are meant to be used in a stationary manner and as such, do not aid substantially in the ironing of the shirt or pants. Other prior art devices are relatively complex in construction and thus relatively expensive to manufacture. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ironing aid that readily fits within a sleeve or leg of clothing but that is readily withdrawn as the ironing takes place. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an ironing aid that is of relatively simple construction and that can thus be manufactured relatively inexpensively. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an ironing aid that is readily adapted to the ironing of different sizes of clothing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided an ironing aid for assisting in the ironing of clothing. The ironing aid comprises: a handle extending along a longitudinal axis and including proximal and distal ends with the proximal end for grasping by a user; a support block having one and other ends with the handle mounted at the one end thereof; a pair of arms each having respective proximal and distal ends with the distal ends thereof for contact inside of the clothing to enable a pressing action by an iron as the ironing aid is moved inside the clothing, said pair of arms capable of transitioning between open and more closed positions; a pivots for respectively supporting the pair of arms on either side of the longitudinal axis and from the other side of the support block; and a spring disposed between the pair of arms for biasing the arms to an open position to contact inside the clothing. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the spring may comprise either a torsion spring or a leaf spring having respective ends that contact the arms; the other end of the support block is preferably open to receive the pair of arms therein; the pivot may comprise a pivot pin that extends orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle; including a pair of latch pieces that are supported respectively from the pair of arms in relative facing direction; wherein the pair of latch pieces each have engagement members that lock together the latch pieces; wherein the engagement members include a ratchet mechanism between the pair of latch pieces; including an extension mounted at the distal end of each of the arms; and wherein each arm includes an arm base that is pivotally supported from the support block and an arm stick supported from the base, the arm base having a channel for receiving the arm stick, the arm stick having at a distal end thereof a contact piece. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an ironing aid for assisting in ironing of clothing including at least pants and shirts by extending inside of a sleeve or pant leg. The ironing aid comprises: an elongated handle extending along a longitudinal handle axis and including proximal and distal ends with the proximal end for grasping by a user for insertion into a sleeve or pant leg; a support block having one and other ends with the handle mounted at the one end thereof; a pair of arms each having respective proximal and distal ends with the distal ends thereof for contact inside of the pant leg or sleeve to provide a pressing action by an iron as the ironing aid is moved inside the clothing in advance of the iron, said pair of arms capable of transitioning between open and more closed positions; means for pivotally and respectively supporting the pair of arms on either side of the longitudinal axis and from the other side of the support block; and spring means for biasing the arms to an open position to contact inside the pant leg or sleeve. 
     In accordance with still other aspects of the present invention the spring means may comprise either a torsion spring or a leaf spring having respective ends that contact the arms; the other end of the support block is preferably open to receive the pair of arms therein, and the means for supporting the arms may comprise a pivot pin that extends orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the handle; including a pair of latch pieces that are supported respectively from the pair of arms in relative facing direction; wherein the pair of latch pieces each have engagement members that lock together the latch pieces, and wherein the engagement members include a ratchet mechanism between the pair of latch pieces; including an extension mounted at the distal end of each of the arms; and wherein each arm includes an arm base that is pivotally supported from the support block and an arm stick supported from the base, the arm base having a channel for receiving the arm stick, the arm stick having at a distal end thereof a contact piece. 
     In accordance with the present invention there is also provided a method of ironing clothing by means of an ironing aid manipulated by a user and that is comprised of a handle that supports a pair of arms each having a distal clothing contact end for contact inside of the clothing, the arms biased to enable the arms to be spread apart, said method comprising: at least partially closing the arms against the bias; inserting the arms within the clothing while at least partially closed; next releasing the arms so that the arms engage portions of the clothing thus holding the clothing in a taut state ready for ironing; and sweeping the arms along the clothing in advance of an ironing step so as to enable a pressing action by the iron as the ironing aid is moved in a swept manner inside the clothing. Other steps may include extending the length of the arms by adding an extension mounted at the distal end of each of the arms; holding the arms in a particular position therebetween by means of a latch mechanism; and releasing the latch mechanism so that the arms can be biased apart. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Numerous other objects, features and advantages can be realized in accordance with the present invention by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ironing aid that is constructed in accordance with the present invention and illustrated in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the ironing aid of  FIG. 1  as used in the ironing of a pant leg or shirt sleeve; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the ironing aid of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary top plan view of the ironing aid with portions cut-away; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of one of the arms of the ironing aid; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the arm; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a portion of  FIG. 6  at the area where the latch mechanism is located; 
         FIG. 8  is an opposite side view to that shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the arms at least partially closed and with the latch mechanism engaged; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view like that shown in  FIG. 10  but with the arms further closed and with the separate latch pieces engaged and passing through opposed arms; 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the ironing aid as inserted into a piece of clothing which is shown in dotted outline; 
         FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the ironing aid as in  FIG. 13  but with the ironing aid disposed at an entrance of the clothing being withdrawn; 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the ironing aid as now released from the clothing and illustrating the manner in which the latch mechanism is kept engaged as the ironing aid is withdrawn from the clothing; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment in which an extension is added to each arm; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary side view related to the embodiment of  FIG. 16  illustrating further details of the mount for the extension; and 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic view illustrating the manner in which two sets of arms can be mounted. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is illustrated in the drawings as an ironing aid  10 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the ironing aid constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and illustrated in its open or released position.  FIG. 2  is also a perspective view of the ironing aid depicted in  FIG. 1  and as used in the ironing of a pant leg or shirt sleeve.  FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the ironing aid of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4  is a fragmentary top plan view with portions shown in cross section illustrating further details of the mechanism. 
     The ironing aid is comprised of a handle  12  that may be considered as extending along a longitudinal axis A shown in dotted outline in  FIG. 1 . The handle  12  has proximal and distal ends with the proximal end  12 P for grasping by a user such as illustrated in  FIG. 2  where the hand H is grasping about the handle  12 . 
     The ironing aid also includes a support block  14  having one and another ends or sides with the distal end  12 D of the handle mounted at one end thereof. The handle  12  may be mounted to the block  14  in a known manner. The handle  12  and support block  14  may be constructed of a number of different types of materials including, but not limited to, wood and plastic. The distal end  12 D of the handle may be screwed into the block  14  or attached in any other appropriate manner so that the handle  12  is fixed in position relative to the support block  14 . Refer also to the partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 4  which shows a support block  14  partially cut away with the handle  12  fixedly attached to the one end of the support block  14 . 
     The ironing aid also is comprised of a pair of arms  16  which each may be considered as having proximal and distal ends with the distal ends thereof for contact inside of the clothing to enable a pressing action by an iron as the ironing aid is moved inside of the clothing. Again, refer to  FIG. 2  which illustrates the arms  16  inside of the clothing C.  FIG. 2  also illustrates an iron I that provides an ironing of the clothing and which is in a position adjacent to the ironing aid  10 . As the ironing aid  10  is withdrawn from the sleeve or pant leg, the iron I progresses and is drawn along providing the ironing of the sleeve or pant leg. The pair of arms  16  may be considered as being capable of transitioning between a fully open position as illustrated in  FIG. 1  and a more closed position such as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 10  or  12 . 
     For the support of the arm  16 , the ironing aid is further provided with a pivot  18  for respectively and commonly supporting the pair of arms  16 . As illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 1 , the support block  14  is symmetrical as to its support of the arms  16  and thus the arms  16 , in the open position thereof, are disposed at an equal angle to the longitudinal axis A. In order to set the arms  12  at their open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the ironing aid also includes a spring  20 . The spring  20  is best illustrated in  FIGS. 4 ,  10  and  12 . This may be a leaf spring or a torsion spring. In the illustrated embodiment, the spring  20  has a center portion that is disposed about the pivot pin  18  and has extending arms that fit within each of the respective legs that extend in the arms  16 . The extending legs of the spring  20  bias the arms outwardly such as to the position shown in  FIG. 4  where both of the arms are symmetric about the longitudinal axis A.  FIG. 4  also depicts the support block  14  which has an opening at its other end. This is shown in  FIG. 4  as the opening  24 . The pivot pin  18  is fixedly supported within the opening  24  and thus the very proximal ends of the arms are disposed within the opening in the support block  14 . The support block  14  is also constructed so that the side walls are at  26  form respective stops for the arms  16  so that they are limited in the extent of their open position. 
     Further details of the construction of each of the arms  16  is found in  FIGS. 5-9 . Thus, each arm  16  includes an arm base  16 A and an arm stick  16 B. It is the arm base  16 A that is pivotally supported from the support block  14 . The arm base  16 A is constructed with a channel  17 , the cross section of which is shown in  FIG. 9 . The arm stick  16 B is adapted to fit within the channel  17  and may be supported in an appropriate manner in the channel  17  such as by being glued or screwed to the arm base  16 A. The arm stick  16 B also preferably has at its distal end, a contact piece  19  that is fixedly supported at the distal free end of the arm stick  16 B. Each of the pieces  19  is preferably constructed of a smooth somewhat spherical shape as illustrated. The pieces  19  are what makes direct contact on the inside of the clothing such as depicted in  FIGS. 2 ,  13  and  14 . The material of the end pieces  19  could be of a smooth contoured plastic material such as teflon. 
     The drawings also illustrate a pair of latch pieces  30  that are fixedly supported from the respective pair of arms.  FIGS. 1 and 4  illustrate each of the latch pieces  30  supported from a respective arm  16 . The latch pieces  30  are meant to interengage and prevent the arms from violently springing apart. In other words, the latch pieces form a lock so that when the ironing aid is withdrawn from a sleeve or pant leg, such as depicted in  FIG. 15 , the arms  16  can only spring apart a relatively short distance. The latch pieces  30  although engaged, can also be easily released manually so that the ironing aid can again assume the position shown in, for example,  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     The latch pieces  30  such as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4  have a slight curvature to them and are positioned so that they can mate with each other such as in the position illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Thus, the latch pieces are supported from the respective arms at the proper position so that they can interengage. The latch pieces thus each have engagement members that can lock together the latch pieces. The engagement members are depicted herein as a ratchet mechanism  32 . In this regard refer to the cross sectional view of  FIG. 11  for which discloses the engaged latch pieces at the ratchet teeth depicted at  32  in  FIG. 11 . The ratchet teeth at  32  preferably extend only at the distal free end of each of the latch pieces  30 . In the position illustrated in  FIG. 10 , it is noted that the latch pieces  30  are interengaged and thus the teeth engage as depicted in the cross-sectional view in  FIG. 11 . In order to release the latching action, one can simply press on either of the latch pieces to release the interengagement between the latch pieces  30 . The spring  20 , once one of the latch pieces is released, will force the arms to the position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In  FIG. 3  it is noted that the latch pieces  30  are separated from each other. 
     In the position illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the latch pieces  30  are interengaged, as mentioned previously. In the partial cross-sectional view of  FIG. 12 , where the arms have been brought quite close together, it is noted that each of the arms is provided with a hole  36  that enables the opposed latch piece to extend therethrough. This is helpful when the arms are engaged in a sleeve that is quite narrow wherein the arms will be placed close together. In this way, the latch pieces do not interfere with the closing of arms in a small sleeve area. In  FIG. 12  it is moreover noted that the latch areas at  32  are not engaged with each other and thus the latch pieces are free to move through the opposed holes  36 . Regarding the holes  36 , refer also to  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  8 . 
       FIG. 13  is a somewhat schematic top plan view of the ironing aid as inserted into a piece of clothing C.  FIG. 13  the clothing is shown in dotted outline and the end pieces  19  are shown engaged with the inside of the clothing. The clothing may be a sleeve of a shirt.  FIG. 14  is also a somewhat schematic top plan view of the ironing aid but with the ironing aid having been almost fully withdrawn from the sleeve. This withdrawing of the aid is illustrated by the arrow X in  FIG. 14 . Even in that position, it is noted that the latch pieces are engaged but in that position usually the ratchet teeth are not engaged.  FIG. 15  is also a further somewhat schematic top plan view of the ironing aid as now released from the clothing and illustrating the manner in which the latch mechanism is kept engaged as the ironing aid is withdrawn from the clothing. This prevents a harsh opening of the arms which is to be prevented. As noted in  FIG. 15 , the latch pieces are still engaged and would be engaged in the manner illustrated in  FIG. 11  where the ratchet teeth are engaged with each other. In order to release the latch pieces, either one of the latch pieces may be moved away from the corresponding one to release the teeth. The spring will then enable the arms to separate to the fully open position such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 16 and 17  for a further additional feature that may be provided with the ironing aid of the present invention. This involves the use of a clip-on or mating extension  40 . The extension  40  is preferably formed in an angled manner as illustrated in  FIG. 16  and includes an end piece  41  that may be substantially identical to the piece  19  at the end of the respective arms  16 . The extension  40  is hollow and is thus fitted over the free end of each of the arm sticks  16 B. A bayonet-type interlock may be provided as illustrated in  FIG. 17  at  44 A,  44 B. This interlock provides for a securing of the extensions to the extending arms. The purpose of the extensions is to widen the position of the arms and is particularly useful for use with wider clothing openings. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 18  for still another embodiment of the present invention that is particularly useful when the ironing aid is used as a traveling device. For that purpose, it is desired that the ironing aid be able to be at least partially dismantled.  FIG. 18  is a schematic view in which the handle  52  has a hook end  53 . This hook end  53  also enables the entire device to be used as a hanger by inverting it from the position illustrated in  FIG. 18 .  FIG. 18  also illustrates the support block  54 . In this case, there is also provided two sets of arms identified in  FIG. 18  as a first set  56 A and a second set  56 B. Usually only one of the sets is used at a time. Each of these sets, as well as the handle  52  is adapted to be screwed into a base part of the support block. In that way each of the arms and handle can be unscrewed for easy storage of the overall device. This makes for a quite compact arrangement that can be contained in a small storage bag or case. In  FIG. 18  the arms  56 A and  56 B function substantially in the same manner as described previously in connection with  FIGS. 1-17  herein. 
     Reference has been made hereinbefore to  FIG. 2  for an illustration of the manner in which the ironing aid is used in association with a normal ironing method. Thus, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a method of ironing clothing by means of an ironing aid that is manipulated by a user and that is comprised of a handle that supports a pair of arms each having a distal clothing contact end for contact inside of the clothing such as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As also discussed previously, the arms are biased towards an open position. The spring associated with the arms will force the arms toward an open position with the exception of the locking provided by the latch pieces. In accordance with the method, it includes the steps of at least partially closing the arms against the bias of the spring. This would occur when the user wants to initially insert the ironing aid into a sleeve or pant leg. Next is the step of inserting the arms within the clothing while at least partially closed. Next is the step of releasing the arms so that the arms engage portions of the clothing thus holding the clothing in a relatively taut state and ready for ironing. This is illustrated quite well in  FIG. 2  where the arms are shown spread apart contacting opposed sides of the sleeve. The next step in the method is the sweeping of the arms along the clothing in advance of the iron aid so as to enable a pressing action by the iron as the ironing aid is moved in a swept manner inside the clothing. Accordingly, when the ironing aid is first inserted, it would be inserted as far into the sleeve as possible and then slowly withdrawn in a direction out of the sleeve as the sleeve is ironed. The iron I as depicted in  FIG. 2 , would typically be used in close proximity to the ironing aid so that the clothing can be ironed as the ironing aid is slowly withdrawn. This withdrawal of the ironing aid is depicted by the arrow X in, for example,  FIG. 14 . 
     Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to one skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention.