Patent Description:
Ironing boards providing a flat, horizontal board to provide a heat-resistive surface on which articles can be ironed are widely known. For domestic applications, ironing boards are typically portable, having a board attached to a collapsible support that allows the ironing board to be stowed compactly in a cupboard or other space.

A traditional ironing board design includes a board having a top face. The top face is suitably covered with a cover that comes into contact with the articles to be ironed. A padding layer may be provided between the top face of the board and the cover. Often, the board is constructed from a perforated metal sheet, wherein the perforations help cool the top face or attached coverings. It is common for the board to be shaped to be broad at one end and tapered at the other forming a nose. Also, it is known to use various attachments on the board, such as: a pole for holding the cord of the iron out of the way, a bar for hanging garments after they are pressed, or a sleeve board providing a smaller surface specifically for ironing shirt sleeves. Most ironing boards also include a dock for laying the iron down safely when not in use. Generally, the dock is provided as an extension to one end of the board, for instance the broad end.

The collapsible support for a traditional ironing board design typically comprises a pair of legs. Each leg has a foot to provide lateral stability. Often the legs are formed from metal tubes and the design can be referred to as a T-Leg design. One of the legs is pivotally attached to the board towards one end at a fixed pivot. The other leg is attached to the board via a sliding pivot. Here, the leg is attached to pivot relative to the board as well as to slide longitudinally along the board towards and away from the fixed pivot of the other leg. A lock is provided to lock and unlock the sliding pivot relative to the board. The two legs are pivotally connected to each other at a fixed pivot spaced from the pivot connections to the board and ends of the legs. Thus the pair of legs forms an 'X' shape when open and the board moves parallel to a plane between the feet. The respective pivots between the legs and board form a linkage.

In operation, from a stowed orientation wherein the collapsible support is collapsed against the board, the sliding pivot is released and the sliding pivot slides towards the fixed pivot of the other leg. Constrained by the linkage, the legs open to support the board horizontally in an ironing orientation. By locking the sliding pivot relative to the board, the linkage forms a rigid structure. The board can be raised or lowered by unlocking the sliding pivot and adjusting the location of the sliding pivot towards or away from the fixed pivot respectively. The ironing board can be collapsed back to the stowed orientation, by unlocking the sliding pivot and moving the sliding pivot away from the board's fixed pivot so that the legs lie against the board and in a generally common plane.

Opening and collapsing an ironing board having a board supported by a collapsible support in a T-leg design requires the sliding pivot to be unlocked whilst supporting the board or manipulating the legs. It therefore typically requires two hands. In order to reduce the cumbersome nature of the opening and collapsing, <CIT> discloses an ironing board including a vertical support structure, board and collapsible support. The board is connected to the vertical support structure at a broad end by a sliding pivot. The foldable support comprises a main leg that is connected at one end to a lower end of the vertical support by a fixed pivot and connected to the board via a sliding pivot at the other end. The collapsible support includes a second leg assembly and the main leg and second leg assembly form an 'X' shape in an open arrangement. The second leg assembly includes a minor leg that is pivotally attached to a mid-point of the main leg. The second leg assembly also includes an articulated arm that is pivotally connected to the board near the connection between the board and vertical support and pivotally connected to the minor leg at a location spaced from the connection between the minor leg and main leg.

In a stowed orientation, the board's top face is arranged to face the vertical support structure with the sliding pivot between the board and vertical support structure arranged towards the lower end. The board is arranged in a generally vertical orientation with a nose end of the board uppermost. Here the collapsible support is arranged on an outside of the ironing board and may therefore require restraining.

The ironing board can be manipulated to the ironing orientation by holding the nose of the board and rotating the board towards a horizontal orientation. The constraints of the linkage formed by the main leg, minor leg and articulated arm cause the collapsible support to open. Due to the linkage arrangement, when the minor leg reaches its maximum angle relative to the major leg, manipulation of the ironing board changes to raising the broad end of the board to slide the pivot connection between the board and vertical support structure further upwards. Thus a user would tend to change grip location. In particular, the user would tend to grip the broad end that would be located towards the lower end of the vertical support. A mechanical lock is provided to secure the sliding pivot between the board and vertical support structure and so as to lock the ironing board in the ironing orientation. Releasing the mechanical lock followed by the reverse manipulation collapses the ironing board back to the stowed orientation.

It would be advantageous to provide an improved ironing board. It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved ironing board that addresses one of the above or other disadvantages. In particular, although not exclusively, it is an aim to provide an improved ironing board that can be opened and collapsed in a more user friendly manipulation.

<CIT> discloses an ironing board for multifunctional use comprising a base and a body with a work surface. The body has a first longitudinal axis and is connected to the base. A column extends between the body and the base, the column having a second longitudinal axis and a tilting means. The tilting means is arranged for tilting the body about a tilting axis extending substantially perpendicularly to both the first axis and the second axis.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for ironing comprising a supporting structure and an ironing board having a central zone provided with two lateral edges, and pivoted to the supporting structure to allow the apparatus for ironing to be configured in a first operating condition where the ironing board is substantially horizontal, and a second inactive condition, where the ironing board is substantially adjacent to the supporting structure.

<CIT> discloses an ironing board and a collapsible ironing-board support, formed with two rear legs and one front leg, whereby all the legs are pivoted to the ironing board top in a transverse axis near the rear end thereof.

According to the present invention, an ironing board is defined by the features of claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of manipulating an ironing board is defined by the features of claim <NUM>.

Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like and interchangeable elements throughout.

<FIG> shows an exemplary ironing board <NUM>. The ironing board <NUM> comprises a board <NUM> and an upwardly extending support <NUM>.

The board <NUM> may take a form as is known in the art. For instance, the board includes an underside <NUM> and a top, flat, ironing face <NUM>. As is known in the art, the board <NUM> may be solid or may be a perforated sheet of metal, covered with a cover and padding layer. Alternatively, as described herein, the board <NUM> may be hollow with a perforated ironing face to allow steam generation / extraction through the board. As shown in the top view, the board <NUM> may have a broad end <NUM> and an opposed end <NUM>. The board <NUM> has a longitudinal extent running lengthwise between the nose end and broad end as depicted by longitudinal axis A in <FIG>. The board <NUM> is generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis. Moreover, a width of the board <NUM> is taken in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. Whilst the following description makes reference to the broad end <NUM> and nose end <NUM>, the shape of the board is not limiting. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that various changes and adaptions to the board may be made as is known in the art without affecting the board's function of providing a horizontal ironing surface. Here, horizontal relates to the intended plane of the board, and in particular the ironing face <NUM>, when the ironing board is arranged in an ironing orientation and is in reference to an ideal ground within general installation and manufacturing tolerances known in the art.

The board <NUM> and the upwardly extending support <NUM> are connected to each other via a pivot <NUM>. The pivot <NUM> allows the board <NUM> to rotate relative to the upwardly extending support <NUM> between the ironing orientation, as shown in <FIG>, and a stowed orientation as shown in <FIG>. In the stowed orientation, the ironing board <NUM> is more compact and suitable for more convenient storing than in the ironing orientation. The pivot <NUM> has a pivot axis that is parallel to the ironing surface and extends in a width direction. Thus the board rotates between the ironing orientation and the stowed orientation about a generally horizontal axis and so that the longitudinal axis of the board follows a generally vertical plane. In the ironing orientation the ironing face of the board is arranged in a generally horizontal plane. As shown in <FIG>, suitably, in the stowed orientation, the ironing face <NUM> of the board <NUM> is arranged in a generally vertical plane.

As shown in <FIG>, the pivot <NUM> is arranged towards an upper end <NUM> of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. It will be appreciated the location of the pivot <NUM> on the upwardly extending support <NUM> is a determination factor of the height of the ironing surface <NUM> when the ironing board is manipulated to the ironing orientation. In the exemplary embodiments, the pivot <NUM> is a fixed pivot. That is, a pivot axis of the pivot <NUM> does not move relative to the board <NUM> or the upwardly extending support <NUM>. The pivot <NUM> therefore provides a rotational joint only, without a sliding function relative to the parts that it connects. The pivot <NUM> may comprise any suitable connection between the board <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM>. For instance, the pivot <NUM> may comprise a pin cooperating with a hole in one or both parts, with the pin acting as an axle or stub axle about which the part or parts rotate. As will be appreciated, the pivot <NUM> may include two connections providing a common pivot axis and, for instance, arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis of the board to provide improved widthwise stability.

The pivot's <NUM> axis is arranged to allow the board to be stowed relative to the upwardly extending support <NUM> compactly. Suitably as shown in <FIG>, the board is stowed spaced by a gap relative to the upwardly extending support <NUM>. As will be explained with reference to other exemplary embodiments, the gap provides a convenient location to accommodate other parts of the ironing board. However, by spacing the pivot from the upwardly extending support <NUM>, at least relative to a major extent, the upwardly extending support <NUM> also provides an abutment surface <NUM>. Here, the abutment surface may abut the underside <NUM> of the board <NUM>. Said abutment providing a convenient location for a connection between the board and upwardly extending support, as will be described in relation to other exemplary embodiments, and also acts to provide a mechanical support for the board <NUM> when in the ironing orientation. Suitably, the abutment surface <NUM> is formed by a projection <NUM> formed at a distal end of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. The projection <NUM> extends generally horizontally and is shown as a <NUM>° knuckle formed at an upper end of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. For the board to abut the abutment surface <NUM>, the pivot <NUM> is connected to the board <NUM> at a location along the longitudinal axis of the board <NUM> spaced from the broad end <NUM>. Thus the board <NUM> extends to either side of the pivot <NUM>. Suitably as shown, the pivot <NUM> is spaced from the broad end <NUM> so that the board extends past the abutment surface <NUM> in the ironing orientation. As shown the board <NUM> may include lugs <NUM> that extend from the underside <NUM> of the board and on which the pivot <NUM> is located.

The upwardly extending support <NUM> is self-supporting. That is, when arranged on a level, horizontal ground, the upwardly extending support <NUM> is able to remain in an upright position when the ironing board <NUM> is in the stowed orientation and without external support or forces retaining it in the upright position. Here, the center of gravity of the ironing board is arranged over a footprint of the ironing board <NUM> in contact with the ground. The footprint is defined by the extent of contact locations. The footprint in a thickness direction is the separation of contact locations in the direction orthogonal to the pivot's axis. It will be appreciated that this will be in the longitudinal direction of the board when the board is in the ironing orientation. In <FIG>, the footprint in the thickness direction is shown by arrow X. Here, the board <NUM> is not shown in contact with the ground. It will be appreciated that in an example where the board <NUM> is in contact with the ground the nose of the board <NUM> is a contact location which increases the footprint of the ironing board <NUM>. The footprint of the ironing board in the thickness direction is therefore the footprint of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. It will be appreciated that if the board or another part of the ironing board contacts the ground in the stowed orientation, that contact may extend the footprint of the ironing board in the thickness direction if that contact is outside the upwardly extending support's footprint.

Suitably, when in the stowed orientation, the axis of the pivot <NUM> is arranged at a height from the ground less than ten times the footprint in the thickness direction or less than six times the footprint in the thickness direction. It will also be appreciated the center of gravity of the ironing board in a widthwise direction, coincident with pivot axis, also remains over the footprint of the ironing board in the width direction. In the exemplary embodiments, and generally in the art, the ironing boards are arranged to be substantially symmetrical about a widthwise center and consequently have a center of gravity substantially towards the center of a widthwise footprint in both the stowed and ironing orientations.

To increase the footprint in the orthogonal direction, the upwardly extending support may have a bulbous lower region <NUM>. The bulbous lower region <NUM> allows the major extent of the upwardly extending support to remain compact in the thickness direction. The bulbous lower region <NUM> may also provide convenient location for further parts as will be described in relation to further exemplary embodiments.

Therefore, the ironing board <NUM> may be self-supporting, in the sense that the upwardly extending support <NUM> remains in an upright position when the ironing board <NUM> is in its stowed position, i.e. one (lower) end of the upwardly extending support <NUM> rests on a level, or substantially level, ground or floor surface with the upwardly extending support <NUM> extending or upstanding substantially perpendicular to the level surface. The ironing board <NUM> will remain in this position and need not be held by a user, or leant against a wall or other supporting surface when the board <NUM> is in its stowed position. It will be understood that only the lower end of the upwardly extending support <NUM> may be in contact with the ground when the board <NUM> is in its stowed position. However, in addition to the lower end of the upwardly extending support <NUM>, the lower end of the stabilising leg <NUM> may also be in contact with the ground when the board <NUM> is in its stowed position. In addition to, or as an alternative, to the lower end of the stablizing leg <NUM> being in contact with the ground, one end of the board <NUM> may contact the ground. If the stabilizing leg <NUM> and/or the nose of the board <NUM> are in contact with the ground, in addition to the lower end of the upwardly extending support <NUM>, the footprint or area in contact with the ground increases, thereby providing more stability to the ironing board <NUM> and further improving its ability to be self-supporting in a stowed orientation. However, adequate support is provided when only the lower end of the upwardly extending support remains in contact with the ground when the board is in its stowed orientation. Many known ironing boards do not remain upright when collapsed, and instead must be leant against an upright surface or hooked in place to prevent them falling over. In embodiments according to the present invention, the upwardly extending support remains in the same position relative to the surface on which the upwardly extending support is placed, irrespective of whether the board is in its ironing or stowed positions, and supports the board on the floor in both positions without falling over. This also means that the ironing board can be opened easily, by simply pivoting the board into its ironing position relative to the upwardly extending support, without changing the position of the upwardly extending support.

When self-supported, the upwardly extending support <NUM> provides a support to the pivot <NUM> with the pivot supported spaced from the ground at a height suitable for ironing. Suitably, the upwardly extending support <NUM> is shown in the exemplary embodiment as an upright. That is, the upwardly extending support <NUM> has a generally longitudinal extent that is arranged substantially vertically. Here, vertically means the intended plane of the upwardly extending support <NUM> when self-supported in the stowed orientation and is in reference to an ideal ground within general installation and manufacturing tolerances known in the art.

In the exemplary embodiments, a lock is provided to restrict the relative rotation between the board <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM>. The lock is deployable to hold the board in the ironing orientation. In the exemplary embodiments with the upwardly extending support <NUM> being an upright, the board is held at a perpendicular orientation to the upright in the ironing orientation. The lock is releasable to allow the board to rotate to the stowed orientation wherein the board <NUM> and upright <NUM> are substantially parallel. Thus from the ironing orientation, releasing the lock and rotating the board <NUM> downwardly about an angle of <NUM>°, manipulates the board <NUM> to the stowed orientation.

During an ironing process, external forces are exerted on the board <NUM> and typically in a downwards direction. It will be appreciated that the downward forces act to rotate the board <NUM> about the pivot <NUM> and which the lock counteracts so the board can provide a stable ironing surface. <FIG> shows an exemplary embodiment wherein the ironing board <NUM> further includes a support strut <NUM>. The support strut <NUM> is deployable to support the board <NUM> against an anchor <NUM>, when the ironing board <NUM> is in the ironing orientation. As shown in <FIG>, the anchor <NUM> suitably acts against the upwardly extending support <NUM>, and is shown as a lug <NUM> that extends from the upwardly extending support.

In the exemplary embodiment, the support strut <NUM> fixes a length between the anchor <NUM> on the upwardly extending support <NUM> and a second anchor <NUM> fixed in relation to the board <NUM>. The pivot <NUM> between the board <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM> is therefore mechanically braced. By releasing the support strut <NUM> so that the distance between the first and second anchors <NUM>, <NUM> are variable, the support strut <NUM> assists or preferably provides the lock restricting the relative rotation between the board <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM>. The first and second anchors <NUM>, <NUM> are shown as pivots between the support strut <NUM> and respective board <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM>. The pivots are suitably located on lug <NUM> and a lug <NUM> extending from the respective parts. In the exemplary embodiments, the pivots are fixed respectively relative to the support strut <NUM> and board <NUM> and the support strut <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM>. Here, when the support strut <NUM> is released, the support strut enables the length between the anchors to vary. For instance, suitably, the support strut comprises a first strut part being a first link <NUM> and a second strut part being a second link <NUM> that are joined by an elbow <NUM>. Here, the elbow bends to allow the strut <NUM> to collapse.

In the exemplary embodiments, the elbow <NUM> provides an over-center lock. Here, the elbow's pivot axis is arranged to rotate past a straight line between the anchors <NUM>, <NUM>. An abutment, for instance between the first <NUM> and second <NUM> links, prevents further rotation. When a force acts on the board <NUM> to urge downward rotation about the pivot <NUM>, the elbow is urged to further bend against the abutment. The abutment therefore provides a mechanical lock bracing the board and upwardly extending support <NUM>. When the elbow <NUM> is broken, for instance by applying an external force to move the pivot back past the straight line position between the anchors <NUM>, <NUM>, the elbow <NUM> is urged to continue bending to collapse the support strut <NUM> such that the board <NUM> can rotate about the pivot <NUM> and return to the stowed position.

To enable the support strut <NUM> to be stowed compactly, the first link <NUM> and second link <NUM> are suitably connected by the elbow <NUM> to be stowed parallel to each other. That is, the elbow <NUM> is arranged to rotate about an angle of over <NUM>° from the stowed orientation to the ironing orientation. It will be appreciated the support strut <NUM> can be arranged to be stowed between the board <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM>. Conveniently, the first and second parts are rods or bars having a height across the pivot axis. Here, the elbow <NUM> is formed on or around a corner edge of the first and second parts. Thus, end faces of the first and second parts abut when the strut is extended with the first and second parts extending coaxially. By arranging the pivot axis at the anchors at a center of the first and second parts or on an opposed edge, the elbow moves to an over-center position when the first and second parts are coaxial.

The external forces coupled with the change in center of gravity from the change in orientation of the board <NUM> and other parts during manipulation to and when manipulated in the ironing orientation also act to destabilize the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, an exemplary ironing board <NUM> is shown further including a stabilising leg <NUM>. The stabilising leg is arranged to extend from the upwardly extending support <NUM> when the board <NUM> is rotated about the pivot <NUM> towards the ironing orientation. The stabilising leg <NUM> is shown as being pivotally connected to the upwardly extending support at pivot connection <NUM>. Here, the stabilising leg <NUM> comprises a connection end <NUM> and an elongate member <NUM>. The elongate member <NUM> has an elongate extent and is shown suitably as a rod or bar. The connection end <NUM> forms one end of the elongate member <NUM> and may project from the elongate member so as to arrange the pivot axis away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate member so that the elongate member may be stowed generally parallel to and substantially flat against the upwardly extending support <NUM>. The stabilising leg <NUM> is rotatable relative to the upwardly extending support <NUM> from a stowed orientation, wherein the elongate member <NUM> is substantially parallel to the upwardly extending support <NUM>, to a deployed orientation wherein the elongate member <NUM> is arranged at an angle to the upwardly extending support <NUM>. A distal end <NUM> of the stabilising leg is arranged to contact the ground and therefore support the ironing board <NUM> in the ironing orientation, and in particular, by extending the ironing board's footprint in the thickness direction of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Suitably, and as described in relation to further exemplary embodiments, the rotation of the stabilising leg <NUM> is linked to the rotation of the board <NUM> about the pivot <NUM> so that the stabilising leg is automatically deployed.

Suitably, the pivot connection <NUM> is not fixed relative to one of the stabilising leg <NUM> or upwardly extending support <NUM>. As shown, the pivot connection <NUM> is arranged to slide relative to the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Here, a slot <NUM> may be provided in the upwardly extending support <NUM> and the pivot connection <NUM> arranged to slide within the slot <NUM>. This sliding movement accommodates the change in distance between the ground and the axis of the pivot connection <NUM> as the stabilising leg rotates between the stowed and deployed orientations. For instance, by allowing the stabilising leg <NUM> to slide and simultaneously pivot relative to the upwardly extending support, the distal end <NUM> can subtend a linear plane corresponding to the ground. Thus the stabilising leg provides support as the stabilising leg is deployed to resist the upwardly extending support <NUM> from toppling. To assist the distal end <NUM> from running along the ground, a roller or wheel may be provide at the distal end <NUM>. Suitably, therefore the stabilising leg rotates outwardly from the upwardly extending support underneath the board <NUM> and so that the stabilising leg, and in particular, the elongate member <NUM>, is stowed between the board <NUM> and the upwardly extending support <NUM>.

In exemplary embodiments, the ironing board <NUM> suitably includes a collapsible support <NUM>. Whilst the collapsible support may comprise either the support strut <NUM> or the stabilising leg <NUM> of other exemplary embodiments, according to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the collapsible support <NUM> comprises both a support strut <NUM> as described above and a stabilising leg <NUM> as described above. Here the stabilising leg <NUM> and support strut <NUM> are pivotally connected at join <NUM>. The collapsible support <NUM> forms a linkage wherein movement of one of the parts of the linkage drives movement of the linkage. For instance, to manipulate the ironing board <NUM> from the ironing orientation toward the stowed orientation, the elbow <NUM> is broken by moving it back past the straight line between the anchors <NUM>, <NUM>. As the first link <NUM> rotates, the join <NUM> causes the pivot connection <NUM> between the stabilising leg <NUM> and upwardly extending support <NUM> to slide in slot <NUM> and simultaneously rotate relative to the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Likewise, the rotation of the second link <NUM> causes the board <NUM> to rotate about the pivot <NUM> rotating the board towards the stowed orientation. As shown in <FIG>, further rotation of the board <NUM> about the pivot <NUM> causes the collapsible support <NUM> to collapse to a mid-arrangement between the ironing and stowed orientations. Rotating the board about the pivot <NUM> in one direction causes the linkage of the collapsible support <NUM> to open back towards the ironing position and rotation in the other direction causes the linkage of the collapsible support <NUM> to collapse towards the stowed orientation. In the stowed orientation, the collapsible support <NUM> is arranged between the upwardly extending support <NUM> and the board <NUM>.

In the ironing orientation, the stabilising leg <NUM> is deployed to provide stability to the ironing face and the support strut <NUM> is locked in an over-center position to prevent the collapsible support <NUM> from collapsing.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the ironing board <NUM> further includes a height adjustment mechanism <NUM>. Here, the upwardly extending support <NUM> is shown as being telescopic. Suitably, a telescopic upwardly extending support comprises a main section <NUM> and a telescopic section <NUM>. One of the sections, shown as the main section <NUM>, includes the upper end <NUM> of the upwardly extending support <NUM>, and the other of the sections, shown as the telescopic section <NUM>, includes the lower end <NUM> of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Consequently, by extending or contracting the telescopic section relative to the main section in a longitudinal axis, the height of the pivot <NUM> can be varied. The height adjustment mechanism <NUM> may include a piston to cause the extension or contraction of the telescopic part <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the lower telescopic section <NUM> is shown sectioned to reveal a piston <NUM>. Suitably, the piston <NUM> may be spring assisted and may suitably be a gas spring or similar piston. The piston <NUM> can be released by depressing an actuator shown suitably as a foot pedal <NUM> located at the lower end of the upwardly extending support. In use, when the board <NUM> is rotated and locked in the ironing position, the pedal <NUM> can be depressed to release piston.

Suitably, the ironing board is manipulated between the stowed and ironing orientations with the telescopic upwardly extending support in a maximum extension. Thus, pushing down on the board <NUM> with the piston released allows the main section <NUM> and the telescopic section <NUM> to contract, lowering the height of the ironing surface <NUM> to a minimum extension of the telescoping parts. The height adjustment may have positions between the minimum and maximum extensions of the telescoping parts and releasing the pedal <NUM> may lock the telescoping parts in place. Also, the ironing board may be arranged to allow the board to be rotated between stowed and ironing orientations at less than maximum extension of the telescopic section <NUM> from the main section <NUM> so that the ironing face can be raised by releasing the pedal <NUM> and lifting upwardly the board. It will be appreciated that locking the piston locks the telescoping parts in relation to each other. Releasing the piston through operation of the foot pedal is exemplary and once released, the optional spring assisted piston aids the movement of the telescopic part <NUM> relative to the main part <NUM> to either extend or contact the telescoping upwardly extending support <NUM>. During operation of the height adjustment mechanism <NUM>, the board <NUM> suitably remains locked in orientation relative to the telescopic upwardly extending support <NUM>.

The height adjustment mechanism <NUM> may be used with one or both of the support strut <NUM> and stabilising leg <NUM> of other exemplary embodiments. However, as shown in <FIG>, suitably the height adjustment mechanism is used with the collapsible linkage <NUM> as described above comprising both the support strut <NUM> and the stabilising leg <NUM>. As shown, both the pivot between the support strut <NUM> and the upwardly extending support <NUM> at anchor <NUM> and the pivot <NUM> between the stabilising leg and upwardly extending support <NUM> are arranged on the main section <NUM> of the telescopic upwardly extending support <NUM> as described above. Thus, the board <NUM> remains locked relative to the telescopic upwardly extending support <NUM> when the height adjustment mechanism <NUM> is operated. By being held on the main section, as the height adjustment mechanism is operated to lower the ironing surface <NUM>, the height between the pivot connection <NUM> of the stabilising leg and the ground is also lowered. Suitably, as shown in <FIG>, the stabilising leg <NUM> is adapted to accommodate the change in height so that the distal end <NUM> remains in a common plane, for instance, remains in contact with the ground without tilting the ironing surface <NUM>. In the exemplary embodiment, the stabilising leg is adapted to be able to rotate further from the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Here, the pivot <NUM> connecting the stabilising leg to the support strut is arranged to slide relative to one of the parts. As shown, suitably the pivot <NUM> slides relative to the support strut. Conveniently, the support strut <NUM>, and in particular the first link <NUM>, includes a track <NUM> along which the axis of the pivot connection <NUM> can slide. This sliding, coupled with rotation about pivot <NUM> allows the stabilising leg to further extend away from the telescopic upwardly extending support <NUM> as the adjustment mechanism lowers the board <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the pivot connection <NUM> should be locked, so as not to slide when the ironing board is in use. Otherwise, downward force on the board could cause the pivot connection <NUM> to slide, extending the stabilising leg outwards and allowing the ironing board to tip. <FIG> shows a suitable latch <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment to selectively lock the stabilising leg <NUM> relative to the telescopic upwardly extending support <NUM> and used in conjunction with the height adjustment mechanism <NUM>. The latch <NUM> has a latch member <NUM> that is arranged to engage a catch member <NUM> to prevent relative movement between the support strut <NUM>, and in particular the first link <NUM>, and the stabilising leg <NUM>. Here, the relative movement prevented is in the direction allowing the stabilising leg to rotate further away from the upwardly extending support. The latch member <NUM> can be released from the catch member <NUM> to enable relative movement. The latch member <NUM> may be engaged and disengaged from the catch by rotating the latch member <NUM>. Here, the latch member <NUM> is pivotally connected to one of the parts and the catch member <NUM> formed on the other of the parts. For instance, with a rotation axis of the latch member <NUM> located at a mid-point of the latch member <NUM>, depressing one end <NUM> causes the other end to lift away from the catch member <NUM>. Suitably, the other end is shown as a hook <NUM> which hooks the catch member <NUM> to thereby engage the catch member <NUM>. A biasing means such as a spring <NUM> may be arranged to bias the latch member towards engagement. In the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the latch member <NUM> is connected to the support strut <NUM> and the catch member formed on the stabilising leg <NUM>.

In operation, the latch <NUM> retains the pivot connection <NUM> in a fixed location relative to both the support strut <NUM> and stabilising leg <NUM> during manipulation between the stowed and ironing orientations and as herein described. When the height adjustment mechanism is operated, the latch <NUM> is released so that the pivot connection <NUM> slides, allowing the stabilising leg to re-orientate to accommodate the change in height. In the lowest position of the height adjustment mechanism, the stabilising leg is arranged in the fully extended orientation and, suitably, further relative movement of the pivot connection between the support strut <NUM> and stabilising leg <NUM> is prevented. Here, the movement may be restricted by the pivot connection abutting the end of the track <NUM>. As the stabilising leg is rotated about pivot <NUM> back towards the upwardly extending support, the latch member <NUM> can be lifted clear of the catch member <NUM> or the latch <NUM>, and in particular, the hook <NUM> may be shaped to ride over the catch member.

Suitably, the latch <NUM> prevents movement of the pivot connection <NUM> relative to the support strut <NUM> and stabilising leg <NUM> in a mid-position before the stabilising leg is fully extended. Here the catch member comprises a plurality of catches, for instance a rack of catches. The plurality of catches can correspond to multiple height positions of the height adjustment mechanism <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> an exemplary ironing board embodiment is shown. The ironing board <NUM> includes a board <NUM>, upwardly extending support <NUM>, pivot <NUM>, collapsible support <NUM> including both a support strut <NUM> and stabilising leg <NUM>, a height adjustment mechanism <NUM> and corresponding latch <NUM> each as herein described. In addition, <FIG> shows optional additions to the ironing board <NUM> that can each be adopted on the exemplary embodiments independently, in isolation or in conjunction with one or more other additions.

One optional addition is a dock <NUM>. The dock provides a working platform <NUM> to rest an iron when ironing. Suitably, the dock <NUM> is connected to the board <NUM> as an extension to the ironing face <NUM>. The dock <NUM> is shown as being connected to the board to be able to pivot from a stowed arrangement, wherein the working platform is folded against the board, and suitably against the underside <NUM> of the board (see for instance <FIG>), to an ironing arrangement, with the working platform extending from the broad end <NUM> of the board <NUM>. A retainer (not shown) is used to hold the working platform in the ironing arrangement.

Another optional addition is a storage arm <NUM>. The storage arm <NUM> provides a storage platform <NUM> for an iron, for instance when the ironing board <NUM> is in the stowed orientation. Here, the iron might include a steam generation unit that remains on the storage platform in use. The storage platform <NUM> may be shaped to support the iron and is suitably pivotally connected to the upwardly extending support so that it can be folded out of the way when not in use. For instance, the storage platform <NUM> can be rotated downwardly to be stowed compactly against the upwardly extending support <NUM> (see for instance <FIG>). To accommodate different sizes of iron, the support may be extendible. For instance, as shown in <FIG> for instance, the support platform <NUM> may comprise left and right support arms <NUM>, <NUM> that are connected by an end stop <NUM>. The left and right support arms terminate in connectors <NUM>, <NUM> that form the connection, and in the foldable example shown, the pivotal connection to the upwardly extending support <NUM>. To be extendible, the support arms move in and out of apertures in the connectors <NUM>, <NUM>. A pin (not shown) or the like may be provided to hold the arms in the desired extension from the connectors. Thus the support platform <NUM> is able to accommodate different irons. Moreover, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, the storage arm <NUM> is connected to the upwardly extending support <NUM> spaced from the fixed pivot <NUM>. This spacing allows the storage platform <NUM> to be arranged beneath the board <NUM> which lowers the center of gravity and provides improved stability as opposed to an arrangement wherein the iron, and in particular a steam generation unit of an iron, is stored on a level with the board.

Another optional addition is a power cable arrangement <NUM>. The power cable arrangement <NUM> is better shown in <FIG>. Here, the power cable arrangement includes a power cable <NUM> for supplying power to the ironing board and a spool <NUM>. The power cable <NUM> may be wound on the spool for storage. In use, the power cable <NUM> can be unwound from the spool <NUM> to connect a connector <NUM> on an end of the power cable to a socket (not shown). The other end of the power cable <NUM> is connected to an electrical iron, for instance via a plug <NUM> (see <FIG>). By providing a power cable arrangement <NUM>, the power cable can be extended substantially along the ground without dangling mid-air. Suitably, the spool <NUM> is arranged in the lower end <NUM> of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Thus the power cable <NUM> can be unwound close to the ground and, as mentioned previously, the bulbous lower end <NUM> provides a convenient location space as well as the additional parts adding ballast. The spool <NUM> may be moveable, and preferably rotatable. The spool <NUM> may also be biased to automatically wind the power cable <NUM>. Here the spool can be released to wind the power cable <NUM> by operating lever <NUM>.

Another optional addition is an air movement system <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the air movement system <NUM> includes an air-movement device <NUM> mounted in the upwardly extending support <NUM>. The air-movement device <NUM> is suitably a fan for blowing air. The air movement device <NUM> cooperates with a channel (not shown) in the upwardly extending support <NUM> and creates an air pressure differential in the channel to either suck air towards the fan or push air away from the fan within the channel <NUM>. Here, the channel includes an aperture <NUM> formed in the abutment surface <NUM> of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. The air movement system <NUM> includes a cavity (not shown) within the board <NUM>, wherein said cavity is in communication with the ironing surface <NUM> via apertures so that air can be sucked or blown through the apertures to assist the ironing process. Here, the board <NUM> is correspondingly adapted to include an aperture <NUM> (see <FIG>). As follows from the foregoing, as the board is manipulated from the stowed orientation to the ironing orientation, the apertures <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged to be aligned to provide a continuous air passage between the cavity in the board <NUM> and the channel in the upwardly extending support <NUM>. A seal may be provided to assist the forming of the continuous air passage. Advantageously, because the aperture <NUM>, <NUM> are mated by relative rotation, without respective sliding or linear motion of the apertures, the apertures can be mated, and where necessary sealed in a more repeatable movement.

Referring to <FIG>, a further optional addition comprises a handle <NUM>. Here the handle <NUM> is formed to extend from the upper end of the upwardly extending support <NUM>. The handle provides a convenient gripping location for a user to grip the ironing board when maneuvering the ironing board in the stowed orientation. Suitably, the handle <NUM> is shown as a u-shaped band <NUM> extending and secured to either side of the upwardly extending support <NUM> and providing a convenient gripping location via a spacing between the band <NUM> and upwardly extending support.

<FIG> and <FIG> show an exemplary ironing board <NUM> as herein described in an ironing orientation. As mentioned, the ironing board is substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis A. Here, each connection, and in particular, each pivot connection comprises a first part spaced to one side of longitudinal axis and a corresponding, substantially identical second part spaced to the other side of the longitudinal axis A. Thus, widthwise stability to the rotations and connections is provided. As shown in <FIG>, the upwardly extending support is provided with the main extent having a substantially rectangular box like construction. The lower end <NUM> of the upwardly extending support <NUM> may also be bulbous in the width direction. The stabilising leg includes a left elongate member and a right elongate member extending from the connection end. Thus, the support strut, which is conveniently also shown as having a rectangular box like construction is arranged in-between the left and right elongate arms. By providing the upwardly extending support <NUM> and support strut <NUM> in a rectangular box like construction, the ironing board provides improved resistance to skew, and in particular across the respective pivot axes. The distal end <NUM> of the stabilising leg <NUM> is shown as being flared with left and right rollers to assist the distal end <NUM> extending across a ground surface. <FIG> shows the ironing board arranged in a stowed orientation.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a manipulation process is shown wherein the exemplary ironing board <NUM> is manipulated from a stowed orientation to an ironing orientation, and then from a first height to a second height. From the stowed orientation, the ironing board <NUM> is self-supported in an upright arrangement wherein the pivot <NUM> is spaced at a first height from the ground. Here the pivot <NUM> is supported by the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Initially or at another time, the optional storage arm <NUM> is rotated to position. The manipulation process to the ironing orientation begins by opening the collapsible support <NUM>. Typically this will be performed by a user grasping towards the nose end <NUM> of the board and rotating the board about pivot <NUM>. Advantageously, because pivot <NUM> is supported, the user does not need to support the pivot <NUM>. Rather, the user can focus the manipulation of rotating the board <NUM> about the pivot. As the board <NUM> rotates, the collapsible support <NUM> is opened. As described, the opening of the collapsible support, driven by rotation of the board, causes the stabilising leg <NUM> to open and importantly, causes the distal end <NUM> to move along the plane of the ground and away from the upwardly extending support <NUM>. This increases the footprint in the thickness direction and provides stability to the ironing board <NUM>, and in particular the upwardly extending support <NUM> from toppling.

Opening of the collapsible support <NUM> also causes the support strut <NUM> to open. Continued rotation of the board <NUM> about the pivot <NUM> causes the support strut to become fully opened, wherein the elbow <NUM> is arranged in an over-center arrangement. Here, the elbow <NUM> acts to lock the board relative to the upwardly extending support <NUM> by preventing reverse rotation of the board back towards the stowed orientation. It will be appreciated the board <NUM> has now reached the ironing orientation and the optional apertures <NUM>, <NUM> of the air movement system <NUM> by abutment of the board and abutment face. At some convenient time in the process, the optional dock <NUM> can be deployed.

Referring to <FIG>, with the board locked in orientation about the pivot <NUM>, the height activation mechanism <NUM> can be operated. Here, releasing the telescoping upwardly extending support <NUM> and releasing the latch <NUM> to release the pivot connection <NUM> to slide, the ironing surface <NUM> can be lowered by pushing down on the board. The ironing surface moves in a substantially parallel orientation.

<FIG> show perspective views of an exemplary ironing board <NUM> in an ironing orientation. The ironing board <NUM> is shown in first and second height positions respectively. As shown in both figures, a second support strut <NUM> extends between the upwardly extending support <NUM> and the stabilising leg <NUM>. The second support strut <NUM> comprises a first end <NUM> pivotally attached to a lower portion of the upwardly extending support <NUM> and a second end <NUM> pivotally attached to the centre of the stabilising leg <NUM>. In this configuration, as the height of the pivot <NUM> is adjusted by raising or lowering the telescopic upwardly extending support <NUM>, the second support strut <NUM> simultaneously adjusts the position of the stabilising leg <NUM> in relation to the upwardly extending support <NUM>. Therefore, the board <NUM> is maintained in a horizontal position whilst the height of the pivot <NUM> is adjusted.

Referring to <FIG>, a manipulation process is shown wherein the exemplary ironing board <NUM> is manipulated from a first height position, to a second height position to a third height position. As the height of the pivot <NUM> is reduced by lowering the upwardly extending support <NUM> in the direction of arrow 'B', the stabilising leg <NUM> simultaneously moves in the direction of arrow 'C' due to the rigidity of the second support strut <NUM>. The second support strut <NUM> is pivotally attached to the upwardly extending support <NUM> and the stabilising leg <NUM> and is configured to adjust the position of the stabilising leg <NUM> in relation to the upwardly extending support <NUM> when the height of the pivot <NUM> is adjusted. It can be seen that as the height of the pivot <NUM> is reduced further, by lowering the upwardly extending support <NUM> in the direction of arrow 'B', the position of the stabilising leg <NUM> is shifted further from the upwardly extending support <NUM> in the direction of arrow 'C'. Therefore, the board <NUM> is maintained horizontally as the height of the pivot <NUM> is adjusted, by extending or lowering the upwardly extending support <NUM>, due to the second support strut <NUM> automatically adjusting the position of the stabilising leg in relation to the upwardly extending support <NUM>. This is advantageous as this feature allows the ironing board <NUM> to be operated at any height position.

The ironing board is manipulated back to the stowed orientation through a reverse operation. The latch <NUM> and height adjustment mechanism <NUM> are released and the board <NUM> raised by applying an upward force. It will be appreciated that as described above, in the lowest position the latch is not engaged and is therefore already released. Once fully raised, the latch becomes caught preventing sliding of the pivot connection <NUM>. Now the elbow can be broken by urging the elbow's pivot axis back past the straight line joining the anchors <NUM>, <NUM>. At this point, the board <NUM> can be rotated about the pivot towards the stowed orientation, which automatically collapses the collapsible support <NUM>.

Because the pivot <NUM> is supported by the upwardly extending support <NUM> at each stage of the manipulation process, the user can manipulate the ironing board between stowed and ironing positions with a rotating movement only. That is, the user does not have to change grips or a movement action, thereby simplifying the manipulation and providing an improved, more user friendly manipulation process.

Claim 1:
An ironing board (<NUM>) comprising:
a board (<NUM>);
an upwardly extending support (<NUM>); and
a pivot (<NUM>) that pivotally connects the board (<NUM>) and upwardly extending support (<NUM>), the pivot (<NUM>) being arranged so that the board (<NUM>) is rotatable about the pivot (<NUM>) and relative to the upwardly extending support (<NUM>) between a stowed orientation, in which the ironing board (<NUM>) is self-supporting, and an ironing orientation, wherein the pivot (<NUM>) is fixed relative to both the board (<NUM>) and the upwardly extending support (<NUM>), wherein the upwardly extending support (<NUM>) is self-supporting such that it remains supported in an upright position on a level surface when the board (<NUM>) is in the stowed orientation without external support due to the centre of gravity of the ironing board being arranged over a footprint of the ironing board (<NUM>) in contact with the ground, whereby the footprint is defined by the area bounded between at least one point of contact between the ironing board (<NUM>) and the level surface; the ironing board further comprising a collapsible support (<NUM>) that includes a support strut (<NUM>) that is pivotally connected to the upwardly extending support (<NUM>) and to the board (<NUM>) to support the board (<NUM>) in the ironing orientation and to resist rotation of the board (<NUM>) about the pivot (<NUM>) from the ironing orientation to the stowed orientation, characterized in that the collapsible support (<NUM>) includes a stabilising leg (<NUM>) to support the board (<NUM>) in its ironing orientation such that it remains supported in an upright position on a level surface resting on the upwardly extending support (<NUM>) or, resting on both the upwardly extending support (<NUM>) and on the stabilising leg (<NUM>), wherein the stabilising leg (<NUM>) is pivotally connected to the upwardly extending support (<NUM>) by a pivot (<NUM>), wherein pivot (<NUM>) is able to slide to enable relative sliding movement between the upwardly extending support (<NUM>) and the stabilising leg (<NUM>) such that the stabilising leg (<NUM>) is automatically deployed when the board (<NUM>) is rotated about the pivot (<NUM>) between the stowed orientation and the ironing orientation.