Patent Abstract:
An apparatus for changing a characteristic of fabric comprising a first member and a second member pivotally connected to said first member wherein at least one of the first and the second member are able to be heated and to provide heat to a plurality of types of fabrics. When a respective fabric is positioned between the first and second member and the heatable means contacts a surface of the fabric and changes a condition of the fabric.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to irons and, more specifically, to a portable iron that does not require the use of an ironing board. A dual iron device includes two hingedly attached members where at least one member provides heat to iron fabric. The members are hard flat surfaces to replace the need for an ironing board. Additionally the members pivot about the hinge so that they are in the same plane wherein the device can be used to steam fabric. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other heating device designed for ironing. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 2,748,511 issued to Pezza on Jun. 5, 1956. 
   Another patent was issued to Vance, et al. on Sep. 18, 1956 as U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,075. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,736 was issued to Kohle on Sep. 2, 1958 and still yet another was issued on Jan. 28, 1969 to Mitchell as U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,966. 
   Another patent was issued to Osrow on Sep. 12, 1972 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,024. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,042 was issued to Smith on Nov. 21, 1972 Another was issued to Anderson on Dec. 19, 1972 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,146 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 3, 1973 to Plasko as U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,629. 
   Another patent was issued to Hagen on Feb. 5, 1974 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,043. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,753 was issued to Engelbart on Feb. 26, 1974. Another was issued to Vieceli, et al. on May 21, 1974 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,208 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 14, 1976 to Osrow, et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,759. 
   Another patent was issued to Osrow, et al. on Jun. 3, 1980 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,340. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,483 was issued to Fathi on Feb. 18, 1986. Another was issued to Schawbel, et al. on Mar. 28, 1989 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,441 and still yet another was issued on Apr. 4, 1989 to Frank as U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,309. 
   Another patent was issued to Tabraham on Jun. 23, 1992 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,266. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,541 was issued to Sham on Aug. 30, 1994. Another was issued to Walker on May 30, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,961 and still yet another was issued on Mar. 11, 1997 to Hellman, Jr., et al. as U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,047. 
   Another patent was issued to Farley on Jul. 29, 1997 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,201. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,391 was issued to Yao on Mar. 7, 2000. Another was issued to Burr, et al. on Sep. 5, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,367 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 20, 2001 to Smal as U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,387. 
   Another patent was issued to Muller on Aug. 13, 1991 as U.S. Patent No. Des. 319,121. Yet another U.S. Patent No. Des. 376,232 was issued to Villar on Dec. 3, 1996. Another was issued to Gudefin, et al. on Dec. 30, 1997 as U.S. Patent No. Des. 388,576 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 24, 2001 to Hirata as U.S. Patent No. D445,540. 
   Another patent was issued to Marbury on Dec. 10, 2002 as U.S. Patent No. D467,051. Yet another U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0070331 was issued to Chen on Apr. 17, 2003. Another was issued to Tobias on Feb. 10, 2005 as U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0028408 and still yet another was issued on Aug. 8, 1996 to Galliou as International Patent Application No. WO 96/24233. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,748,511 
   Inventor: Mariana Pezza 
   Issued: Jun. 5, 1956 
   A garment presser for forming creases in and smoothing surfaces of articles of clothing; said presser comprising a pair of jaws, each jaw including a blade having a compartment therein and a handle extending from an end of the blade in parallelism with the handle of the other jaw; a pivot member connecting said handles together; resilient means acting on said handles to urge the jaws to move to swing the blades toward each other; heating means comprising conducting elements arranged one in said compartment of each blade; one of said blades being adapted to overlie the other and having a second compartment arranged to underlie the first mentioned compartment in said blade and having an opening in one edge wall of the blade; a pair of flat panel elements confronting each other, one of said panel elements having therein a set of perforations spaced apart all over said panel according to a predetermined pattern, said one panel forming a wall portion of the second compartment of said one blade, the other panel element forming a wall portion of the compartment in the other of said blades; a container for liquids having a wall slidably contacting the perforated panel and having a set of perforations registerable with the perforations of the first mentioned set, said container having a filling neck, provided with a movable closure, and projecting through the opening in said one edge of said one blade; a spring reacting against said one edge to slide the container to bring the perforations therein out of register with the perforations of the first mentioned set; a plunger projecting through a wall of the second compartment of said one blade into engagement with said container; and means operable by movement of the handles to move the plunger and cause the perforations in the container to register with the perforations of the first set. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,763,075 
   Inventor: John E. Vance, et al. 
   Issued: Sep. 18, 1956 
   An electric iron comprising, a sole plate, heating means therefor, said sole plate being formed with a boiler chamber to convert water into stream, a handle pivotally mounted on said sole plate on a horizontal axis and normally occupying a vertically extending position, a water reservoir formed in said handle, said handle including a conduit for conducting water from said reservoir to said boiler, and valve means operative to cut of the flow of water from the reservoir to said boiler when said handle is moved from its normal vertical position. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,849,736 
   Inventor: Albert G. Kohle 
   Issued: Sep. 2, 1958 
   A self-contained steam generating brush comprising an elongated housing having a chamber at its forward end and a rearwardly extending hollow hand grip portion, a steam generating boiler in said chamber, a liquid containing reservoir mounted within the hand grip portion of said housing, said steam generating boiler having an electrically energized heating unit for converting a jet of water into steam, circuit connections for said electrical unit carried by said hand grip portion and extending therefrom for connection to a source of electric power, a thumb operated pump mounted within said handle portion and associated with said fluid containing tank to project a jet of water from said tank upon the electrically energized heating unit of said steam generating boiler, whereby upon each operation of said pump a quantity of water will impinge upon said heating unit and steam will be flash generated in said boiler, a fabric engaging brush at the forward end of said housing, and a steam directing nozzle extending from said steam generating boiler and terminating at said brush. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,966 
   Inventor: Margaret S. Mitchell 
   Issued: Jan. 28, 1969 
   An apparatus for steaming fabric  48  materials comprising: 
   a longitudinally extending shell, said shell having a semicircular face and plurality of orifices longitudinally placed on said semicircular face, said orifices being sufficiently large to allow water to pass therethrough into the shell; a porous heat resistant material located within the shell and able to absorb a substantial amount of water; a handle attached to said shell said handle comprising a leg attached to one end of the shell and having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the shell, and an arm extending from the other end of the leg and having an axis perpendicular to the leg and parallel to the shell; a flat electrical heating element contacting on one side of the heating element, the outside flattened face of the shell; insulation on the other side of the flat heating element; electrical conducting means for supplying electrical power to the flat electrical heating element; and a temperature responsive electrical switching means mounted within the shell for interrupting electrical current between the electrical conducting means and the electrical heating element at a preset temperature. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,024 
   Inventor: Leonard Osrow 
   Issued: Sep. 12, 1972 
   A lightweight portable electric hand steamer with a special sole plate having a prow that is uniquely shaped to spread the concealed short edges at the rear of a seam joining two plies of fabric which are to be pressed into planarity. The prow includes a leading beak for initiating separation of the short rear edges. Behind the prow the sole plate is provided with a flat pressing surface. Steam issues through the pressing surface to impinge upon the fabric plies being pressed as well as upon the short rear edges so as to render them pliant for pressing. The entire sole plate, but particularly the flat pressing surface, is formed of a synthetic plastic whereby the pressing surface has a low specific heat and a low coefficient of heat conductivity so that the pressing surface is relatively cool in comparison with a conventional metal pressing surface. This has the unusual effect of preventing the outline of the steamed-flat short rear edges from showing&#39; through the planar portions of the plies after the pressing/steaming operation has been completed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,042 
   Inventor: Sally J. Smith 
   Issued: Nov. 21, 1972 
   A one-piece pump bellows of a flexible, resilient material with a corrugated generally cylindrical sidewall having a plurality of interleaved outer and inner bends with interconnecting wall portions. The corrugated wall is not of uniform thickness and the thickness at the bends of the wall is greater than the maximum thickness of the interconnecting wall portions. The thickness of the interconnecting wall portions immediately adjacent the bends is less than the maximum thickness of the interconnecting wall portions. The outer bends have associated pairs of opposed circumferential ribs on the inside surface of the interconnecting walls and the inner bends have associated pairs of opposed circumferential ribs on the outside surface of the interconnecting walls. The pairs of opposed ribs are adapted to abut when the bellows is foreshortened by overstroking which decreases the maximum stress to which the bends are subjected and substantially increases the service life of the bellows. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,146 
   Inventor: Arvid B. Anderson 
   Issued: Dec. 19, 1972 
   An electrically heated steam and vacuum hand iron. A vacuum port is provided at the periphery of the soleplate of the iron and outwardly of the steam discharge apertures in the soleplate to extract steam and moisture from the pressed fabric, more quickly to dry the pressed fabric, thereby to speed hand ironing operations. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,742,629 
   Inventor: Emil Robert Plasko 
   Issued: Jul. 3, 1973 
   A portable hand-held electric clothes steamer has a one-piece body or housing with an integral fill opening intermediate a water chamber and a combined steam chamber and water trap, the position of the water inlet opening defining the maximum water level. Electric neon indicators are provided for showing when the unit is plugged in and also for showing when the unit has run dry. Provision is made for use of the steamer, in one embodiment, in either domestic or European current. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,043 
   Inventor: Elmer Ray Hagen 
   Issued: Feb. 5, 1974 
   Structure for attachment to slacks, or other such garments, tending to remove wrinkles and restore creases by exerting forces on the slacks both transverse and parallel to the creases. The transverse force is exerted by attaching the structure to the slacks at the front and rear at points aligned with the creases in the area between the waistband and crotch and maintaining a stretching force. The longitudinal force is provided by suspending the slacks freely from the cuffs with the structure attached, whereby the weight of the structure exerts a longitudinal force along the cuffs. The structure comprises a pair of telescoping rods with spring clips at the remote ends and detent means for maintaining the desired spacing of the clips to exert the transverse stretching force on the slacks. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,793,753 
   Inventor: Wilhelm Engelbart 
   Issued: Feb. 26, 1974 
   A manually operated steam ironing device comprises a bottom portion including a bottom ironing plate having outlet openings to allow passage of steam. An upper portion includes a hand receiving means located above the ironing plate. The hand receiving means has a structural configuration effective to enwrap at least a portion of an operator&#39;s hand for protecting the operator&#39;s hand and to facilitate operation of the device. The upper portion also includes a padded insulated layer and a carrier plate portion having a structural configuration which defines an insulating chamber above the bottom heating plate. The bottom portion includes a heating element and a heated cover plate carrying said element. The cover plate has a structural configuration to form a steam expansion chamber between itself and the bottom ironing plate. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,811,208 
   Inventor: Joseph L. Vieceli, et al. 
   Issued: May 21, 1974 
   An electric pressing iron adapted for operation in a horizontal plane for pressing fabrics or usable in. a vertical plane to steam hanging clothes, drapes and the like: The iron includes a small compact soleplate above which is superimposed an all plastic reservoir and handle assembly having the handle extending outwardly from the reservoir and a housing portion positioned between the reservoir and the soleplate enclosing a thermostat and a temperature control arm. The means for delivering&#39; water from the &#39;reservoir to a steam chamber on the upper surface of the soleplate comprises a compact pump having a diaphragm which is operable by direct finger pressure to deliver water from the reservoir to the steam chamber. The pump which is mounted in an opening for the reservoir is removable to permit the pouring of water into the reservoir. The reservoir and handle include a one piece injection molded plastic member which includes a downwardly facing cup-shaped portion which is closed by the housing member to form the reservoir. The pump permits the iron to be operated in any position while delivering substantial quantities of steam from the orifices disposed in the soleplate. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,759 
   Inventor: Leonard Osrow, et al. 
   Issued: Dec. 14, 1976 
   A device for applying steam to the exposed surface of previously applied wallpaper so as to cause the same to penetrate the wallpaper and loosen the adhesive bond between the wallpaper and the underlying substrate. The device is a compact steamer for vertical surfaces which is composed of a forward steam plenum chamber and a rear water chamber having a common separating wall between them. The steam plenum chamber has a steam discharge opening in its front wall. Associated with the common wall is a steam passageway that is wholly contained within the steamer. The steam passageway leads from a steam entry port near the top of the water chamber to a steam discharge port in the steam plenum chamber. To heat the water in the water chamber to steaming temperature, a pair of mutually spaced electrodes is disposed in and near the bottom of the water chamber and is supplied with power through a manually operable switch. A cap selectively closes a fill-opening in the water chamber. The cap and switch are provided with an interlock which prevents opening of the fill-cap when the switch energizes the electrodes and which prevents the switch from being moved to actuated position unless the fill-cap is closed. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,340 
   Inventor: Leonard Osrow, et al. 
   Issued: Jun. 3, 1980 
   A steaming device for pressing and ironing fabric includes a hollow body and a sole plate having a pointed prow. A pair of passages lead from an electrolytically heated steam generator within the body to the front portion of the sole plate. The first passage is permanently open and leads to a plurality of first openings in a linear pattern generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the prow. The second passage leads to steam openings in the sole plate which latter openings extend transversely across the width of the sole plate rearwardly of first openings. The second passage is larger than the first and has more steam openings associated with it so that steam will flow through it more readily than through the first. A plug is associated with the top of the second passage. The plug can be moved from a position in which the passage is unblocked to a position in which the passage is blocked. The electrolytically heated steam generator includes three electrodes disposed in a quantity of electrolytic solution provided within a reservoir within the body. The spacing between a first and a second electrode is greater than the spacing between the second and third electrodes so that steam generation rate may be controlled by an appropriate adjustable electric switch, with steam generation being at a higher rate when an electrical potential is impressed between the second and third electrodes than when the electrical potential is impressed between the first and second electrodes. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,483 
   Inventor: Saul S. Fathi 
   Issued: Feb. 18, 1986 
   This portable steamer device has a central cylindrical casing open at opposite ends. A handle is rotatably mounted to a cylindrical cap attached to the rear end of the casing. A baffle is mounted to the front end of the casing, and has holes for emitting steam. In the casing is a heater assembly to heat water in a first chamber conically shaped body with a central aperature closes the chamber but permits water to pass into the chamber and steam to pass out of the chamber. A tube section inside a second chamber between the baffle and the body which passes steam to the baffle while any water which may inadvertently spill out of the first chamber is captured in the second chamber, thus, water cannot leak out of the device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,441 
   Inventor: William Schawbel, et al. 
   Issued: Mar. 28, 1989 
   A portable curling iron having a barrel to be heated, includes first and second burners which heat the barrel; a fuel supply cartridge which supplies fuel to the first and second burners, the cartridge including a fuel delivery valve which controls the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a plunger which applies a force to the valve in response to user actuation, to start the flow of fuel from the cartridge; a regulator assembly including a diaphragm which applies a reverse force to the plunger when the gas pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure, to maintain a substantially constant flow rate of fuel to the first and second burners; a valve stem through which the fuel travels from the cartridge to the second burner; a bimetallic element for applying a force to the valve stem to permit the fuel to pass to the second burner when the temperature is less than a predetermined start-up temperature and for removing such force when the predetermined start-up temperature is attained; and a spring which applies a reverse force to the valve stem to prevent the fuel to pass to the second burner when the predetermined start-up temperature is attained, so as to achieve fast heat up of the barrel without fuel waste. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,309 
   Inventor: Karlheinz Frank 
   Issued: Apr. 4, 1989 
   A hand-held steam brush, consisting of a support plate with steam holes which forms an outer wall of the hand-held steam brush. A pressure plate with steam exit holes is releasably secured to the support plate. The pressure plate, guided by hinged spacers, is movable towards the support plate counter to the pressure of a spring and can be fixedly connected to the support plate by means of a pressure plate locking device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,266 
   Inventor: David Tabraham 
   Issued: Jun. 23, 1992 
   A clothes steamer which can be secured to a wall such as the wall of a hotel room, the steamer including a housing with a heating element in it. The element boils water which is in the housing and causes a flow of steam along a flexible hose to a nozzle. An audible warning device is provided for indicating that an adequate supply of steam is being generated. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,541 
   Inventor: John C. K. Sham 
   Issued: Aug. 30, 1994 
   A portable hand-held steam vacuum cleaner is provided which includes a housing having a handle portion and a nozzle portion. A reservoir is defined in the housing for retaining cleaning solution or water, and a heating unit is associated with the reservoir for heating the liquid so as to generate steam for delivery to a surface to be cleaned. A motor driven fan assembly is disposed within the housing in communication with the nozzle portion for drawing excess liquid and debris into the nozzle portion. The nozzle portion defines structure for separating and containing the liquid which is drawn into the vacuum cleaner. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,961 
   Inventor: Cedric T. M. Walker 
   Issued: May 30, 1005 
   A steaming device includes a reservoir for containing a predetermined quantity of water, a heater for heating the water and producing the steam, a nozzle for exhausting out the steam, a conduit for connecting the nozzle with the reservoir, and an external support structure for supporting components of steaming device. The nozzle make up part of a programmable automatic flow adjusting system for selectively varying the direction and speed of the steam flowing out therefrom. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,047 
   Inventor: Robert R. Hellman, Jr., et al. 
   Issued: Mar. 11, 1997 
   A portable garment steaming device for use in the home which emits steam through a retractable nozzle plate of a safety nozzle assembly which when retracted prevents against accidental touching of the hot nozzle plate. The garment steaming device also includes a clothes hanger assembly for hanging the article of clothing to be steamed. A water bottle compartment for supplying water to be generated as steam for the safety nozzle assembly is further provided which is detachably mounted for refilling. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,201 
   Inventor: Brent Lee Farley 
   Issued: Jul. 29, 1997 
   An iron having a mitt component and a heating element subdivided into at least two portions. A pivot interconnects the at least two portions of the heating element. A reservoir system interconnects a fluid tank to the heating element to enable the iron to possess steam generating capabilities. The mitt is preferably attached to the heating element by an annular crimping portion. The mitt further includes a pocket for receiving the hand of a user. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,391 
   Inventor: Isoji Yao 
   Issued: Mar. 7, 2000 
   An iron having an iron main body and an electromagnetic valve which controls flow and stop of ironing steam. The iron is provided with a first tube for ironing steam, which sends ironing steam to the iron main body in open state of the electromagnetic valve, a second tube for heating steam, which sends heating steam to its end side along the first tube and heats approximately whole length of the first tube, and a third tube, which returns the steam from the end side of the second tube. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,367 
   Inventor: Jean-Marc Burr, et al. 
   Issued: Sep. 5, 2000 
   The appliance comprises a portable and electrical self-contained assembly comprising a case of plastics material defining a housing in which there are disposed an instant steam generator operating at atmospheric pressure with a porous water storage body and electrical heater resistance elements, and a steam distributor for diffusing steam through a series of front orifices. The case is extended by a squeegee carrier fitted with a squeegee blade projecting from the front of the appliance. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,191,387 
   Inventor: Henri Smal 
   Issued: Feb. 20, 2001 
   Hairdressing tongs have a pair of arms extending from handles. Each arm has a heating pad affixed thereto. The handles have opposed openings. A central element is positioned between the handles and fitted within the openings such that the central element is slidable toward the handles. The central element has guide openings. Springs are positioned in the guide openings for biasing apart the handles. The springs enable hand pressure to move the handles and arms together from a completely open position to a completely closed position and, in absence of the hand pressure, to maintain the handles and arms in relatively parallel configuration, biased against stops of the central element. 
   U.S. Patent Number Des. 319,121 
   Inventor: Ronald L. Muller 
   Issued: Aug. 13, 1991 
   The ornamental design for a garment steamer, as shown in the patent drawings. 
   U.S. Patent Number Des. 376,232 
   Inventor: Albert Villar 
   Issued: Dec. 3, 1996 
   The ornamental design for a gas heated seaming iron, as shown in the patent drawings. 
   U.S. Patent Number Des. 388,576 
   Inventor: Jacques Gudefin, et al. 
   Issued: Dec. 30, 1997 
   The ornamental design for a combined iron and steam generator, as shown in the patent drawings. 
   U.S. Patent Number D445,540 
   Inventor: Yoshihiro Hirata 
   Issued: Jul. 24, 2001 
   The ornamental design for a hair iron, as shown in the patent drawings. 
   U.S. Patent Number D467,051 
   Inventor: Yvonne L. Marbury 
   Issued: Dec. 10, 2002 
   The ornamental design for a battery operated iron, as shown in the patent drawings. 
   U.S. Patent Application Number 2003/0070331 
   Inventor: Shou Mao Chen 
   Published: Apr. 17, 2003 
   An ironing structure comprises a shell and a blow drier detachably attached to the shell. The shell is provided in the top with a receiving portion for holding one end of the barrel of the blow drier. The receiving portion is in communication with the hollow interior of the shell. The shell is provided at the bottom with a soleplate which is warmed up by the hot air streams of the blow drier to facilitate the pressing of the clothes. 
   U.S. Patent Application Number 2005/0028408 
   Inventor: Andrew J. Tobias 
   Published: Feb. 10, 2005 
   A hand-held, convertible pressing iron/steamer device includes a steaming module including a compartment for holding water, and a heater for producing steam from the water. The device further includes an ironing module including a heatable flat pressing bottom surface, the ironing module being selectively attachable to the steaming module so as to direct steam through the flat pressing bottom surface. There is also a handle attachable to the steaming module and the ironing module. In a first configuration, the handle is operably and detachably mounted to the steaming module alone. In a second configuration, the handle is operably and detachably mounted to the steaming module and the ironing module. 
   International Patent Application Number WO 96/24233 
   Inventor: Henri Galliou 
   Published: Aug. 8, 1996 
   A method for assembling an electrical heating assembly including at least one diffusing plate ( 1 ) and at least one heating element ( 4 ) arranged in contact therewith. The heating elements ( 4 ) are arranged in contact with the diffusing plate ( 1 ) and the assembly is subjected to hot heading. The resulting electrical heating assembly produced according to the method is also disclosed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to irons and, more specifically, to a portable iron that does not require the use of an ironing board. A dual iron device includes two hingedly attached members where at least one member provides heat to iron fabric. The members are hard flat surfaces to replace the need for an ironing board. Additionally the members pivot about the hinge so that they are in the same plane wherein the device can be used to steam fabric. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   Another, secondary object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device that will iron and steam fabric without the use of an ironing board. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby an article of clothing is pressed while hanging. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device that is portable. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device having two members that are hingedly connected to one another. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby tension exists between the two members. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby a heating mechanism heats at least one of the members. 
   Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby the outside of each member is made from a heat resistant material to prevent the user from being burned. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby one of the members act in lieu of an ironing board. 
   Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby the at least one heated member applies heat to fabric. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby the two members clamp together to engage an article to be pressed. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby the at least one heated member includes a plurality of apertures allowing steam to escape. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device whereby one member is flipped out providing a single steaming iron engaging surface. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device that is simple and easy to use. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a dual iron device that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate. 
   Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dual iron device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the dual iron device of the present invention in an open position; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the dual iron device of the present invention in a closed position; 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the dual iron device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of the dual iron device of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is an under side view of the dual iron device of the present invention in a fully open position; and 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the dual iron device of the present invention in a fully open position. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the dual iron device of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures. 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               10 
               Dual iron device of the present invention 
             
             
               12 
               pants 
             
             
               14 
               Shirt 
             
             
               15 
               Shirt sleeve 
             
             
               16 
               housing 
             
             
               18 
               first member of housing 
             
             
               20 
               second member of housing 
             
             
               22 
               handle 
             
             
               24 
               steam button 
             
             
               26 
               heat adjustment knob 
             
             
               28 
               first heat plate 
             
             
               30 
               second heat plate 
             
             
               32 
               steam ports 
             
             
               34 
               open/close clamping trigger 
             
             
               36 
               knuckle pad 
             
             
               38 
               hinge 
             
             
               40 
               water tank 
             
             
               42 
               electrical cord 
             
             
               44 
               down directional arrows 
             
             
               46 
               crease 
             
             
               48 
               fabric 
             
             
               50 
               top side first member 
             
             
               52 
               bottom side first member 
             
             
               54 
               water tank aperture 
             
             
               56 
               power source 
             
             
               58 
               second member top 
             
             
               60 
               second member bottom 
             
             
               62 
               heating mechanism 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 11  illustrate a dual iron device of the present invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral  10 . 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention in use. The dual iron device  10  includes a housing  16  having a first member  18  and a second member  20 . In the present embodiment, only the first member  18  has a first heat plate  28  to provide heat. However, in an alternate embodiment both the first member  18  and the second member  20  include the first heat plate  28  and a second heat plate  30  respectively. The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via a hinge  38  at a first end of each thereof. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is caused to be parallel to the second member  20  having a predetermined distance therebetween. Each member is rectangular in shape. However, this is for purposes of example only, and each member may be formed of any geometric shape. 
   Shown herein, the dual iron device  10  is being used to iron a pair of pants  12  and a shirt  14 . Both the pants  12  and the shirt  14  are able to be ironed while hanging, without the use of an ironing board. The pants  12  are placed between the first  18  and second  20  member of the housing  16 . An open/close clamping trigger  34 , as will be discussed hereinafter with specific reference to  FIG. 2 , is used to press the first  18  and second  20  members against the pants  12 . The dual iron device  10  is then moved along the length of the pants  12  while heat presses the pants. 
   The dual iron device  10  of the present invention is advantageous in that it facilitates the ironing of fabric  48 . The second  20  member of housing  16  provides support for the fabric  48  typically provided by an ironing board. The dual iron device  10  also provides for an easier method of ironing creases into fabric  48 . In one embodiment both the first  18  and second  20  member provide heat thereby enabling both sides of a fabric  48  to be ironed at the same time, decreasing ironing time. The dual iron device  10  provides for the tension between the first  18  and second  20  members, created by the hinge  38 , to be released thereby allowing the first  18  and second  20  members of the housing  16  to be opened along a horizontal plane to iron in a traditional manner. 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes a top side  50  and a bottom side  52 . The bottom side  52  includes the first heat plate  28  positioned thereon. The second member  20  includes a top side  58  and a bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes a heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes a plurality of steam ports  32  to selectively release steam onto the fabric  48 . The top side  50  is made of a heat resistant material to prevent the user from being burned from the heat emitted by the first heat plate  28 . A handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . A knuckle pad  36  is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 . The knuckle pad  36  provides a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles as this is where the knuckles rest when the user grips the handle  22 . A heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . 
   When the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20  of the housing  16 , the bottom  60  of the second member  20  is located between the bottom side  52  of the first member  18  and the top side  58  of the second member  20 . The bottom  60  of the second member  20  is a hard flat surface that acts as an ironing board. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom  60  of the second member  20  is covered with the second heat plate  30 . In this alternate embodiment, both sides of the fabric  48  are ironed simultaneously thereby decreasing the ironing time. Additionally, this embodiment requires the top  58  of the second member  20  to be formed from a heat resistant material to prevent burning the user. 
   The handle  22  includes a steam button  24  located thereon for steaming fabric  48  when depressed. When the steam button  24  is depressed, steam is released through the steam ports  32  on the first heat plate  28 . The underside of the handle  22  includes an open/close clamping trigger  34 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  therebetween to iron the fabirc. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   A water tank  40  is located within the first member  18  of the housing  16 . The water tank  40  is filled with water through a water tank aperture  54  positioned on the top side  50  of the first member  18 . A plurality of devices can be used to cover the water tank aperture  54  including but not limited to a cap and a one-way valve thereby preventing the water in the tank  40  from leaking. The water is heated by the power source  56  and when the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is converted to steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32 . 
     FIG. 3  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device  10  of the present claimed invention. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to selectively release steam onto the fabric  48 . The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   When the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20  of the housing  16 , the bottom  60  of the second member  20  is located between the bottom side  52  of the first member  18  and the top side  58  of the second member  20 . The bottom  60  of the second member  20  is a hard flat surface that acts as an ironing board. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom  60  of the second member  20  is covered with the second heat plate  30 . In this alternate embodiment, both sides of the fabric  48  are ironed simultaneously thereby decreasing the ironing time. The top  58  of the second member  20  is made of a heat resistant material to prevent burning the user. 
   The steam button  24  is located on the handle  22  and when depressed, is used to steam fabric  48 . The open/close clamping trigger  34  is located on the underside of the handle  22 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   Shown herein, the dual iron device  10  is being used to iron the pair of pants  12 . The pants  12  are being ironed while hanging, without the use of an ironing board. The pants  12  are placed between the first  18  and second  20  member of the housing  16 . The open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated to press the first  18  and second  20  members against the pants  12 . The dual iron device  10  is then moved along the length of the pants  12  in a downward direction as indicated by the downward directional arrows  44  while heat presses the pants. In the present embodiment, only the first member  18  has the first heat plate  28  to provide heat. The dual iron device  10  creates a crease in the pants  12  due to the way the pants  12  are folded when the dual iron device  10  is applied. 
   The dual iron device  10  of the present invention is advantageous in that it can be portable. Additionally, the dual iron device  10  can be battery operated so there is no need for an electrical outlet. The dual iron device  10  is also advantageous in that there is no need for the assistance of an ironing board as the second member  20  provides a hard flat surface. 
     FIG. 4  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. Herein the heat is supplied by a battery, not shown. 
   The steam button  24  is located on the handle  22  and when depressed, is used to steam fabric  48 . The open/close clamping trigger  34  is located on the underside of the handle  22 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   Shown herein, the dual iron device  10  is being used to iron the pair of pants  12 . The pants  12  are being ironed while hanging, without the use of an ironing board as the bottom  60  of the second member  20  provides a flat and hard surface on which to iron. The pants  12  are placed between the first  18  and second  20  member of the housing  16 . The open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated to press the first  18  and second  20  members against the pants  12 . The battery is providing the heat to the dual iron device  10 . The dual iron device  10  is then moved along the length of the pants  12  in a downward direction as indicated by the downward directional arrows  44  while heat from the first heat plate  28 , shown in  FIG. 2 , presses the pants. The dual iron device  10  creates a crease in the pants  12  due to the way the pants  12  are folded when the dual iron device  10  is applied. 
     FIG. 5  is an illustrative view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . The dual iron device  10  provides for the tension between the first  18  and second  20  members, created by the hinge  38 , to be released thereby allowing the first  18  and second  20  members of the housing  16  to be pivoted about the hinge  38  so that they are in the same plane for steaming purposes. Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   The steam button  24  is located on the handle  22  and when depressed, is used to steam fabric  48 . The open/close clamping trigger  34  is located on the underside of the handle  22 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   The water tank  40  is located within the first member  18  of the housing  16 . The water tank  40  is filled with water through the water tank aperture  54  positioned on the top side  50  of the first member  18 . A plurality of devices can be used to cover the water tank aperture  54  including but not limited to a cap and a one-way valve. The water is heated by the heating mechanism  62  and when the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is converted to steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32 . 
   Shown herein, the dual iron device  10  is being used to steam the shirt  14 . The dual iron device  10  provides for the tension between the first  18  and second  20  members, created by the hinge  38 , to be released thereby allowing the first  18  and second  20  members of the housing  16  to be pivoted about the hinge  38  so that they are in the same plane. The heating mechanism  62  shown herein as an electrical cord  42  heats the water in the water tank  40 . When the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is transformed into steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32  located on the first heat plate  28 . 
     FIG. 6  is a side view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention in an unclamped or “open” position. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   The handle  22  includes the steam button  24  located thereon for steaming fabric  48  when depressed. The underside of the handle  22  includes the open/close clamping trigger  34 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   The water tank  40  is located within the first member  18  of the housing  16 . The water tank  40  is filled with water through the water tank aperture  54  positioned on the top side  50  of the first member  18 . A plurality of devices can be used to cover the water tank aperture  54  including but not limited to a cap and a one-way valve. The water is heated by the heating mechanism  62  and when the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is converted to steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32 . 
   Shown herein, the open/close clamping trigger  34  is not activated. Thus, the first  18  and second  20  members of the housing  16  are in the “open” position. In the “open” position, it is easier to place fabric  48  between the first  18  and second members  20 . Additionally, when in the “open” position, the dual iron device  10  does not create a sharp crease when applied to the fabric  48 . 
     FIG. 7  is a side view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention in a clamped or “closed” position. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   The second member  20  of the housing  16  includes the top  58  and the bottom  60 . The bottom  60  of the second member  20  is a hard flat surface which acts as an ironing board. The top  58  of the second member  20  is made of a heat resistant material to prevent burning the user. 
   The handle  22  includes the steam button  24  located thereon for steaming fabric  48  when depressed. The underside of the handle  22  includes the open/close clamping trigger  34 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   The water tank  40  is located within the first member  18  of the housing  16 . The water tank  40  is filled with water through the water tank aperture  54  positioned on the top side  50  of the first member  18 . A plurality of devices can be used to cover the water tank aperture  54  including but not limited to a cap and a one-way valve. The water is heated by the heating mechanism  62  and when the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is converted to steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32 . 
   Shown herein, the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. Thus, the first  18  and second  20  members of the housing  16  are in the “closed” position. In the “closed” position, the fabric  48  is held firmly between the first  18  and second member  20 . However, the “closed” position still permits the dual iron device  10  is still able to move along the fabric  48 . Additionally, when in the “closed” position, the dual iron device  10  creates a sharp crease when applied to the fabric  48  if desired. 
     FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   When the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20  of the housing  16 , the bottom  60  of the second member  20  is located between the bottom side  52  of the first member  18  and the top side  58  of the second member  20 . The bottom  60  of the second member  20  is a hard flat surface that acts as an ironing board. In an alternative embodiment, the bottom  60  of the second member  20  is covered with the second heat plate  30 . In this alternate embodiment, both sides of the fabric  48  are ironed simultaneously thereby decreasing the ironing time. The top  58  of the second member  20  is made of a heat resistant material to prevent burning the user. 
   The handle  22  includes the steam button  24  located thereon for steaming fabric  48  when depressed. The underside of the handle  22  includes the open/close clamping trigger  34 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   The water tank  40  is located within the first member  18  of the housing  16 . The water tank  40  is filled with water through the water tank aperture  54  positioned on the top side  50  of the first member  18 . A plurality of devices can be used to cover the water tank aperture  54  including but not limited to a cap and a one-way valve. The water is heated by the heating mechanism  62  and when the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is converted to steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32 . 
     FIG. 9  is a top view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   The handle  22  includes the steam button  24  located thereon for steaming fabric  48  when depressed. The underside of the handle  22  includes the open/close clamping trigger  34 , shown in  FIG. 2 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
     FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention in the steaming position. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . The dual iron device  10  provides for the tension between the first  18  and second  20  members, created by the hinge  38 , to be released thereby allowing the first  18  and second  20  members of the housing  16  to be pivoted about the hinge  38  so that they are in the same plane for steaming purposes. Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   The water tank  40  is located within the first member  18  of the housing  16 . The water tank  40  is filled with water through the water tank aperture  54  positioned on the top side  50  of the first member  18 . A plurality of devices can be used to cover the water tank aperture  54  including but not limited to a cap and a one-way valve. The water is heated by the heating mechanism  62  and when the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is converted to steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32 . 
     FIG. 11  is a side view of the dual iron device  10  of the present invention in the steaming position. The dual iron device  10  includes the housing  16  having the first member  18  and the second member  20 . The first member  18  is attached to the second member  20  via the hinge  38  at one end. The hinge  38  creates a tension such that the first member  18  is parallel to the second member  20 . The dual iron device  10  provides for the tension between the first  18  and second  20  members, created by the hinge  38 , to be released thereby allowing the first  18  and second  20  members of the housing  16  to be pivoted about the hinge  38  so that they are in the same plane for steaming purposes. Each member is rectangular in shape. 
   The first member  18  includes the top side  50  and the bottom side  52 . The bottom side includes the first heat plate  28  positioned along the bottom side  52 . The second member  20  includes the top side  58  and the bottom side  60  and the bottom side  60  faces the first heat plate  28 . The housing  16  includes the heating mechanism  62  for heating the first heat plate  28 . The first heat plate  28  includes the plurality of steam ports  32  to release steam onto the fabric  48  when the steam button  24  is depressed. The handle  22  is attached to the top side  50 . The length of the handle  22  is centered above the top side  50  in order to maximize the ease of using the device  10 . The knuckle pad  36 , providing a cushion for the user&#39;s knuckles, is located below the handle  22  on the top side  50 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The heat adjustment knob  26  is located on the top side  50  between the handle  22  and the edge opposing the hinged edge of the top side  50 . The heat adjustment knob  26  controls the heating mechanism  62  to determine an amount of heat to apply to the first heat plate  28 . The heat for the heat mechanism  62  is supplied by a plurality of means including but not limited to an electrical cord  42  and a battery. 
   The steam button  24  is located on the handle  22  and when depressed, is used to steam fabric  48 . The open/close clamping trigger  34  is located on the underside of the handle  22 . When the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated, both the first  18  and second  20  members clamp the fabric  48  between them to iron it. However, the clamping is not so tight as to prevent moving the dual iron device  10  along the fabric  48  while the open/close clamping trigger  34  is activated. 
   The water tank  40  is located within the first member  18  of the housing  16 . The water tank  40  is filled with water through the water tank aperture  54  positioned on the top side  50  of the first member  18 . A plurality of devices can be used to cover the water tank aperture  54  including but not limited to a cap and a one-way valve. The water is heated by the heating mechanism  62  and when the steam button  24  is depressed, the water is converted to steam and exits the dual iron device  10  through the steam ports  32 . 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of devices differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3