Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method to quickly, easily and temporarily secure fabric to an ironing board or the like to facilitate the removal of hair, lint, or other particulate matter which is adhered to the surface of the fabric. The fabric to be cleaned is positioned on an ironing board in the same manner as placing the fabric on the board for ironing. A pressure applying member is placed over the fabric to be cleaned, most commonly near the longitudinal end of the fabric. Each end of the pressure applying member is connected to a tension mechanism such as a spring or elastomeric cord. The other end of the tension mechanism is connected, in turn, to a connecting means such as a J-hook. When the connecting means are hooked over the far and near edges of the ironing board, the tension mechanism is pulled taut, forcing the pressure member down with sufficient force to hold the fabric in place against the pull of a vacuum or lint brush.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for quickly and releasably attaching fabric to an ironing board or the like to hold the fabric in place to facilitate the removal of pet hair, lint and other detritus by vacuum, lint brush or any other means that would exert a force on the fabric sufficient to cause the fabric to lift and bunch. 
         [0002]    In addition to providing a surface to iron clothes and other fabrics, an ironing board also provides a convenient surface for the removal of unwanted hair, lint and other detritus from these same fabrics. Unfortunately, without suitable means for holding the fabric in place on the surface of the ironing board, a vacuum cleaner will lift and bunch the fabric. This movement makes the cleaning process extremely difficult. Likewise, the lint brush has nearly identical problems. If the operator holds one end of the fabric with one hand and the lint brush in the other hand, the brush can only be stroked in one direction. When the operator tries to stroke the clothing in the reverse direction, once again, the fabric lifts and bunches. 
         [0003]    In both cases, the cleaning process needs a “third hand” or other means to secure the fabric. The apparatus and method of this invention eliminates the need for that third hand. It holds the fabric or article of clothing in place while it is being cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or lint brush. 
         [0004]    There is no prior art known to the inventor relating to apparatus and methods for quickly and temporarily securing clothing and other fabrics to an ironing board for the purpose of assisting in the removal of hair, lint and other unwanted detritus. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method that utilizes a pressure applying member, a tensioning means and a connecting means, in combination, to produce a force that can be quickly, easily and temporarily applied to an ironing board or the like to hold a fabric in place on the surface of the ironing board. The primary objective of the invention is to provide assistance in holding fabric in place on the ironing board while the fabric is being vacuumed or brushed in order to remove pet hair and lint from the fabric. Secondarily, if so desired, the pressure apparatus can provide assistance to the ironing process. 
         [0006]    In practice, the pressure applying member is placed over the fabric to be cleaned, most commonly near the longitudinal end of the fabric. The pressure applying member is connected to a tensioning means such as a spring or elastomeric cord. The tensioning means is attached, in turn, to a connecting means such as a J-hook or an S-hook. The connecting means are then hooked over the far and near edges of the ironing board. Attaching the hooks pulls the tensioning means taut, forcing the pressure member down with sufficient force to hold the fabric in place against the pull of the vacuum or lint brush. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a person vacuuming hair and lint off a pair of slacks without the aid of the pressure applying apparatus of this invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a person vacuuming hair and lint off a pair of slacks with the aid of the pressure applying apparatus of this invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pressure applying apparatus of this invention in which the pressure applying member comprises a rectangular hollow plastic tube, the tensioning means comprises an expansion spring and the connecting means comprises a metal S-hook. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the pressure applying apparatus of this invention in which the pressure applying member comprises a cylindrical wooden block, the tensioning means comprises an expansion spring and the connecting means comprises a metal S-hook. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of still another embodiment of the pressure applying apparatus of this invention in which the pressure applying member comprises a cylindrical foam rubber tube, the tensioning means comprises an elastomeric cord and the connecting means comprises a plastic J-hook. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of additional embodiments of the pressure applying member. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of additional embodiments of the attaching means. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1A  of the drawings, there is shown a person  12  using a vacuum cleaner  14  and one hand  22  to try to vacuum a fabric  16  on the substantially planar surface  18  of an ironing board  20  without the benefit of the pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention as shown in  FIG. 1B . As is readily apparent the fabric  16  is lifted from the surface  18  of the ironing board  20  by the force of the vacuum and bunches despite being held down in one place by the hand  22 . 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 1B , there is shown the person  12  vacuuming the fabric  16  on the surface  18  of the ironing board  20  using the pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention and one hand  22  to hold the fabric  16  in place. As is readily apparent, the fabric  16  is easily held in place on the surface  18  of the ironing board  20  against the force of the vacuum when the vacuum  14  is applied to the fabric  16  in the area between the pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention and the hand  22  of person  12  holding the fabric  16 . The pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention will be subsequently described in detail herein and is shown as having connecting means  28  for engaging defined edge surfaces  24 ,  26  respectively of ironing board  20 . Although the pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention is shown in use with ironing board  20 , it will be readily understood that the pressure applying apparatus  10  could also be used with a table or the like having a substantially planar surface defined by edge surfaces to which the apparatus  10  could be releasably connected. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 2  of the drawings, there is shown one embodiment for the pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention. The pressure applying apparatus  10  includes a pressure applying member  30  comprising a high-temperature (400° F.) injection molded hollow plastic (e.g. Solvay R polyphenylsulfone) rectangular shaped tube  31  that may be 1″ (25 mm)×1.25″ (31 mm) in cross-section. Means for tensioning the pressure applying member  30  includes eyelets  30   a  that are preferably integrally formed respectively on each end of the plastic tube  31  by injection molding or any other means as is well known in the art. The plastic tube  31  including the eyelets  30   a  may be 5.5 inches in length (24 cm) although the invention is not limited to this length and material and other lengths and materials may also be suitable. The rectangular cross-section of the pressure applying member  30  inherently provides two pressure levels depending in which lineal surface of the plastic tube  31  is in contact with the horizontal planar surface  18 . The outer longitudinal surface of the plastic tube  31  preferably has friction ridges  30   b  protruding from the surface thereof along substantially the length of the tube. The friction ridges  30   b  provide additional gripping force to hold the fabric in place. The tensioning means for resiliently biasing the pressure applying member  30  further includes expansion spring members  34  attached respectively to the eyelets  30   a  at the ends of the plastic tube  31 . The expansion spring members  34  may be ¼ inches in diameter (6 mm) with a length of 2 inches (50 mm). The other ends of the expansion spring members  34  attach respectively to means for releasably connecting to the edge surfaces  24 ,  26  comprising hooks  36  which may be S-hooks or any other type of suitable hook such as J-hooks. The hooks  36  may be made from stainless steel and have a large hook opening of 1⅜ inches (35 mm). The lower arm of the hooks  36  need be only ½ inches (12 mm) in length while the upper arm of the hooks  36  is typically 1 inch (25 mm) in length. The upper arm of the hooks  36  includes an eyelet  36   a  approximately ¼ inches (6 mm) in diameter. The expansion springs  34  are attached to the hooks  36  respectively at the eyelets  36   a.  It will be readily understood that such spring members may comprise elastomeric cords such as bungee cords or any other type of resilient stretchable material. The invention is not limited to the above materials and dimensions and other materials and dimensions may be used as will be well understood in the art. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 3  of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment for the pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention. The pressure applying apparatus  10  includes a pressure applying member  40  comprising an elongated cylinder  41  preferably made of wood 1.5 inches (37 mm) in diameter. The elongated cylinder  41  may be 5 inches in length (13 cm) although the invention is not limited to this length and material and other lengths and materials may also be suitable. The surface of the elongated cylinder  41  has helical ridges  42  protruding from the surface thereof and extending substantially the length thereof to increase the friction between the elongated cylinder  41  and the fabric. These ridges  42  may consist of Velcro strips cemented to the surface of the elongated cylinder  41  to increase friction between the pressure applying member  40  and the fabric. Means for resiliently biasing the pressure applying member  40  comprises a pair of eyelets  40   a  that are attached respectively to each end of the cylinder  41  at the longitudinal axis of thereof. The eyelets  40   a  are preferably countersunk into the cylinder  41  for added strength. The tensioning means for resiliently biasing the pressure applying member  40  also preferably comprises a pair of expansion spring members  44  attached respectively to the eyelets  40   a  at the ends of the cylinder  41 . The expansion springs  44  may be ¼ inches in diameter (6 mm) with a length of 2 inches (50 mm). The other end of the expansion springs  44  attach respectively to means for releasably connecting to edge surfaces  24 ,  26  comprising hooks  46  which may be S-hooks or any other type of suitable hook such as J-hooks. The hooks  46  are preferably made from stainless steel and may have a large hook opening of 1⅜ inches (35 mm). The lower arm of the hooks  46  need be only ½ inches (12 mm) in length while the upper arm of the S-hooks  46  is typically 1 inch (25 mm) in length. The upper arm of the hooks  46  includes an eyelet  46   a  approximately ¼ inches (6 mm) in diameter. The expansion spring members  44  attach to the hooks  46  respectively at the eyelets  46   a.  The expansion springs  34  are attached to the hooks  36  respectively at the eyelets  36   a.  It will be readily understood that such spring members may alternatively comprise elastomeric cords such as bungee cords or any other type of resilient stretchable material. Again, the invention is not limited to the above materials and dimensions and other materials and dimensions may be used as will be well understood in the art. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 4  of the drawings, there is shown still another embodiment for the pressure applying apparatus  10  of this invention. The pressure applying apparatus  10  includes a pressure applying member  50  comprising a cylindrical foam rubber tube  51 . The tube  51  is preferably made of a high temperature (300° F.-400° F.) material (e.g. Armacell HT/Armaflex) that will not melt if it comes in contact with a hot iron. The foam rubber tube  51  has a center hole  51   a  extending the length thereof that may be ⅜ inches in diameter (10 mm) and a wall thickness that may be ¾ inches (18 mm). The foam rubber is relatively soft with a non-polished surface suitable for gripping the fabric. The foam rubber tube  51  may be 5 inches (13 cm) in length. A ⅜″ O.D. PVC or copper pipe  52  is preferably inserted in the center hole  51   a  of the foam rubber tube  51  to stiffen the tube  51  along its length. Tensioning means for resiliently biasing the pressure applying member  50  comprises an elastomeric cord  54  threaded through the center hole  51   a  of the foam rubber tube  51 . The elastomeric cord  54  may be ⅜ inches in diameter (10 mm) cut to a length of 10 inches (26 mm). Although an elastomeric cord is shown, the invention is not so limited and other types of spring members as previously discussed can also be used as will be well understood in the art. The ends of the elastomeric cord  54  attach to means for releasably connecting to the edge surfaces  24 ,  26  comprising hooks  56 . The hooks  56  may be made from hard plastic having a hook opening of 1⅜ inches (35 mm). The lower arm of the hooks  56  need be only ½ inches (12 mm) in length while the upper arm of the hooks  36  is typically 1 inch (25 mm) in length. The upper arm of the hooks  36  also includes an eyelet  56   a  approximately ⅜ inches (10 mm) in diameter. The eyelets  36   a  provide a means for connecting the ends of the elastomeric cord  54  to the J-hooks  56 . The ends of the elastomeric cord  54  are threaded respectively through the J-hook eyelets  56   a  and the outlet end portions  54   a  of the cord are crimped respectively onto the input portions of the cord  54  using 3/16 inch C-staple  58 . Again, the invention is not limited to the above materials and dimensions and other materials and dimensions may be used as will be well understood in the art. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 5  of the drawings, there is shown various embodiments for cross section of the pressure applying members including circular  60  and non-circular such as triangle  62 , square  64 , rectangle  66 , pentagon  68 , hexagon  70 , etc. where the pressure applying surface is substantially planar along the length thereof. Pressure applying members may be solid or hollow depending on the material and strength design as will be well understood in the art. The pressure applying member can be constructed from a variety of materials including wood (e.g. maple, pine), metal (e.g. stainless steel, aluminum), plastic (high temperature), nylon (e.g. high temperature Amodel polyphthalamide), and rubber (foam and solid). To increase the coefficient of friction between the pressure applying member and the fabric to be held, the outer surface of the pressure member may be scoured, dimpled, have longitudinal friction strips attached, or be constructed with friction ridges both spiral and longitudinal. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 6  of the drawings, there is shown alternate embodiments for the connecting means. The hooks may be constructed of metal or plastic. They are basically J-hook  80  or S-hook  82  with an eyelet  84  inherent in the design for attaching to the tensioning means. 
         [0021]    With respect to the above descriptions, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0022]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, 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, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3