Patent Publication Number: US-6212801-B1

Title: Reversible ironing board cover

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to ironing board covers and particularly to an ironing board cover that is reversible and has two oppositely disposed outer ironing surfaces. 
     Ironing board covers made from various combinations of fabric material and padding are generally known. Regardless of the fabric combination, the usual cover is provided with but one ironing surface. After repeated use, the typical ironing surface becomes worn, making effective ironing difficult. Further, scorching and staining of the ironing surface may also occur. An ironing board cover in this condition must be replaced for efficient use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     With the above in mind, it is one of the features of the present invention to provide an ironing board cover having at least two ironing surfaces. Multiple ironing surfaces allow users to receive at least two times the use from the cover as the usual one-sided models. Further, the reversible nature of the cover can provide different fabric patterned surfaces for more aesthetic variety. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reversible ironing board cover is composed of two typical exposed layers. Immediately between these exposed layers is a padding layer composed of heat resistant material generally known in the manufacture of ironing board covers. Combinations of the various layers may be stitched or secured by other means such as adhesives to one another around their peripheral margins. In the preferred embodiment, the exposed layers and the padding layer are stitched together along each peripheral edge. A separate laterally extending marginal skirt is preferably attached to the resultant three-ply edge to provide an underlying attachment means which, together with a drawcord, secures the cover to the ironing board. A generally U-shaped binder surrounds the unattached peripheral edge of the marginal skirt and additionally contains the drawcord within its U-shaped cavity. 
     In a second embodiment, it is contemplated that the ironing board cover is provided with a unitary marginal skirt. The marginal skirt in this embodiment is integrally formed from the exposed layers and the padding layer. The three layers extend together to form a laterally extending skirt. A U-shaped binder surrounds the peripheral edges of the exposed layers and padding layer. A drawcord is disposed within the U-shaped cavity formed by the binder. As in the preferred embodiment, the drawcord and the skirt cooperate to secure the cover to the ironing board. 
     A third embodiment is contemplated wherein the exposed layers extend to form a laterally extending marginal skirt. The padding layer floats freely between the exposed layers and does not form the marginal skirt. A U-shaped binder surrounds and is attached to the peripheral edges of the exposed layers. A drawcord is disposed within the U-shaped cavity formed by the binder. The marginal skirt and drawcord cooperate to secure the cover to the ironing board. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical ironing board with the cover according to the invention being attached thereto, a peeled away portion is provided to show the reversible nature of the cover. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, of the ironing board cover showing the various layers and the laterally extending marginal skirt attached to the exposed layers. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from the underside of an ironing board, and supporting the cover made according to this invention, but with legs removed for ease in more clearly depicting the invention and connective straps shown in phantom. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view, similar to the view of FIG.  2  and also taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, of the ironing board cover showing the alternate embodiment marginal skirt, integrally formed from the two exposed layers. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view, similar to the views of FIGS. 2 and 4 and also taken along lines  2 — 2  of FIG. 1, of the ironing board cover showing another embodiment of the marginal skirt, wherein the skirt is formed from the exposed layers and the padding layer. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reversible ironing board cover  10  having a laterally extending marginal skirt  12 , is seen affixed to a standard ironing board  20  with supporting legs  11  being shown in phantom. 
     The cross sectional view of FIG. 2 illustrates the reversible ironing board cover  10  having a plurality of layer members  14 . Preferably, the reversible ironing board cover  10  has a shape and size equivalent to the ironing board  20  to be covered, although it must be understood that it could be of any other conventional shape or configuration. The reversible ironing board cover  10  includes a predetermined number of layer members  14 , and in the preferred embodiment contains three layers. Each layer member  14  has a size and shape equivalent to the ironing board  20  to be covered, although there may be variations in shape. Two outer or exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  are attached to the ironing board surface  20  by conventional fastening means, shown in FIGS. 2,  4 , and  5  as a drawcord  16  contained within U-shaped binder tape  18 . The drawcord  16  is drawn and tied according to conventional practice. Although the drawcord  16  has been found to be the most suitable attachment means, additional attachment may be supplied by elasticized or other binding  34  (shown in phantom in FIG.  3 ). When elasticized or other binding  34  is used, fastening loops  24  are supplied for attachment. A conventional padding layer  26  is located immediately between the two exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b . Padding layer  26  is composed preferably of 100% cotton, although a blend of synthetic material such as polyester and cotton may be used in a ratio of 90% cotton and 10% synthetic or 80% cotton and 20% synthetic. Alternatively, a 100% synthetic material with a urethane foam component that provides a heat retardant property may be used. As seen in FIG. 2, stitching  28  is used to connect the exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  to the padding layer  26 . Stitching  30  is used to attach the binder tape  18  to the peripheral ends  36  of marginal skirt  12 . In the preferred embodiment, an outwardly extending marginal skirt  12 , forms a pocket-like area for securing the reversible cover  10  to the ironing board  20 . FIG. 2 depicts the marginal skirt  12  as being a separate fabric section independently attached to the peripheral margin  32  of the exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  by way of stitching  28 . The right side of FIG. 2 depicts the ironing board cover  10 , in an extended, unattached state for clarity and to provide more detail of the stitching  28 ,  30 . While this is the preferred configuration, other marginal skirt arrangements have been contemplated. 
     FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment marginal skirt wherein the skirt  12   a  is formed from the exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b . The exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  extend outwardly beyond the intermediate padding layer  26  to integrally form a marginal skirt  12   a . As in the preferred embodiment, when affixed to an ironing board  20  in use, the marginal skirt  12   a  is bent down around the sides  21  of the ironing board  20  for secure attachment thereto (seen on the left side of FIG.  4 ). The peripheral margins  32  of the exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  are secured to one another by way of stitching  30  and within the confines of the generally U-shaped binder tape  18 . The right side of FIG. 4 depicts the reversible ironing board cover  10  in an extended, unattached state for clarity and to provide more detail of the stitching  30 . 
     In another embodiment, seen in cross section in FIG. 5, the exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  and the intermediate padding layer  26  extend beyond the ironing board periphery to provide a marginal skirt area  12   b . When affixed to the ironing board  20  in use, (seen on the left side of FIG. 5) the exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  and padding layer  26  extend down and around the ironing board side  21 . The peripheral margins  32  of the exposed layers  22   a ,  22   b  and padding layer  26  are secured to one another by way of stitching  30 , which also secures a U-shaped binder tape  18  to the peripheral margin  32 . The right side of FIG. 5 shows the ironing board cover  10  prior to being affixed to the ironing board  20  to show the stitching  30  with greater clarity. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.