CN118215762A - Steamer including a pivotable steamer head - Google Patents
Steamer including a pivotable steamer head Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN118215762A CN118215762A CN202280073745.3A CN202280073745A CN118215762A CN 118215762 A CN118215762 A CN 118215762A CN 202280073745 A CN202280073745 A CN 202280073745A CN 118215762 A CN118215762 A CN 118215762A
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- China
- Prior art keywords
- garment steamer
- handle
- pair
- steamer
- pivot
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F73/00—Apparatus for smoothing or removing creases from garments or other textile articles by formers, cores, stretchers, or internal frames, with the application of heat or steam
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- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F75/00—Hand irons
- D06F75/08—Hand irons internally heated by electricity
- D06F75/10—Hand irons internally heated by electricity with means for supplying steam to the article being ironed
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Cookers (AREA)
- Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
Abstract
本发明涉及一种蒸汽挂烫机(100)，该蒸汽挂烫机包括用于固持蒸汽挂烫机的手柄(102)和挂烫机烫头(104)。挂烫机烫头包括用于生成蒸汽的蒸汽发生器(106)。至少一根电线(118)和/或水管(120)在手柄与挂烫机烫头之间延伸。蒸汽挂烫机还包括连接手柄和挂烫机烫头的枢转联接件(PC)。枢转联接件包括枢转轴(116)，该枢转轴具有支撑所述至少一根电线和/或水管的外部弯曲表面。
The present invention relates to a garment steamer (100), which comprises a handle (102) for holding the garment steamer and a garment steamer head (104). The garment steamer head comprises a steam generator (106) for generating steam. At least one electric wire (118) and/or a water pipe (120) extends between the handle and the garment steamer head. The garment steamer further comprises a pivot connection (PC) connecting the handle and the garment steamer head. The pivot connection comprises a pivot shaft (116), which has an outer curved surface supporting the at least one electric wire and/or water pipe.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a garment steamer and in particular to a garment steamer having a handle and a steamer head pivotally attached to the handle.
The invention can be used in the field of clothing care.
Background
Various types of garment steamer are known to treat garments with steam to remove wrinkles by using the heat and moisture provided by the steam. Garment steamer generally includes a handle for holding the garment steamer and a steamer head attached to the handle. The garment steamer ironing head comprises a steam generator for generating steam.
One type of garment steamer is a hand-held garment steamer in which a steam generator, a water tank for storing water supplied to the steam generator, and a treatment panel (also referred to as a base panel, front panel or steamer plate) are integrated into a single portable hand-held unit.
Hand-held garment steamers are therefore portable and are commonly used to steam garments suspended vertically from hangers. Conventional hand-held garment steamers are accordingly designed with the handle angled with respect to the steamer head to make the garment steamer more comfortable/ergonomic to use when steaming such suspended garments.
Recently, garment steamers and in particular hand held garment steamers have been provided which can be used to steam suspended garments and garments placed on a pad or ironing board. However, for garments that are to be steamed, for example, suspended vertically from hangers, the comfortable or ergonomic angle of the handle relative to the steamer head may be uncomfortable or not ergonomic for garments that are to be steamed, for example, horizontally placed on a pad or ironing board.
Some hand-held garment steamers are designed to iron horizontally in the manner of a conventional steam iron. However, such hand held garment hangers may be uncomfortable or not ergonomic to use when steaming suspended garments.
These problems can be solved by introducing some adjustability in the design of the garment steamer.
However, this can be challenging because there is a risk that the adjustment capability compromises the robustness of the garment steamer, especially because the user may make repeated adjustments during the lifetime of the garment steamer.
CN 111 534,998 a discloses an ironing machine comprising a handle and an ironing head. The ironing head has an ironing surface. The angle between the handle and the ironing surface is adjustable, and a locking structure is arranged at the connection between the handle and the ironing head.
DE 20 2019 10340 u1 discloses a collapsible fabric garment steamer comprising a shower and a handle, wherein a steam generator is provided in the shower. The rear end of the spray head has a rotatable connection section and the upper end of the handle has a clamping section to which the rotatable connection section is rotatably connected.
US 4 571 483A discloses a portable garment steamer device having a central cylindrical housing open at opposite ends. The handle is rotatably mounted to a cylindrical cap attached to the rear end of the housing.
Disclosure of Invention
The object of the present invention is to propose a garment steamer which avoids or alleviates the above problems.
The invention is defined by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
To this end, the garment steamer according to the invention comprises:
a handle for holding a garment steamer,
A garment steamer head comprising a steam generator for generating steam,
-At least one electric wire and/or water pipe extending between the handle and the steamer head.
-A pivot coupling connecting the handle and the steamer head, the pivot coupling comprising a pivot shaft having an outer curved surface supporting and guiding the at least one electric wire and/or water pipe thereon.
For example, when steaming garments suspended from hangers (e.g., vertically suspended) and garments placed on mats or ironing boards (e.g., horizontally placed), the pivotal coupling may assist the user in selecting the proper angle of the steamer head relative to the handle. This may make the garment steamer more comfortable to use.
Furthermore, by supporting the wires and/or water pipes extending between the handle and the steamer head on the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft, the risk of damaging the wires and/or water pipes by the pivot coupling, for example by kinking or squeezing, is reduced.
Therefore, garment steamer is comfortable and robust to use.
The pivot coupling preferably comprises at least one pair of opposing flanges projecting away from the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft, the at least one pair of opposing flanges and the outer curved surface forming a groove to accommodate at least one electrical wire and/or water pipe.
The groove may help guide and protect the wires and/or water pipes extending between the handle and the steamer head, thereby reducing the risk of the pivot coupling damaging the wires and/or water pipes.
Preferably, the pivot axis is fixed relative to the garment steamer head and the at least one pair of opposed flanges comprises a first pair of opposed flanges fixed relative to the pivot axis.
In such embodiments, the electrical wire and/or the water tube may be held laterally between the first pair of opposing flanges.
Preferably, the pivot axis is fixed relative to the garment steamer head and the at least one pair of opposed flanges comprises a second pair of opposed flanges fixed relative to the handle and adapted to rotate about the pivot axis.
The second pair of opposing flanges may also help hold the wires and/or water tubes laterally in place.
In embodiments including a first pair of opposing flanges and a second pair of opposing flanges, the second pair of opposing flanges preferably protrude to a greater height than the first pair of opposing flanges.
The second, higher pair of opposing flanges may help prevent the wires and/or water tubes from escaping from the dedicated path therebetween during garment steamer assembly. This may help to minimize the risk of damaging the electrical wires and/or water pipes, for example, by contact with the garment steamer housing during assembly of the garment steamer.
Preferably, the first pair of opposed flanges is sandwiched between the second pair of opposed flanges.
This may help minimize or prevent lateral shifting of the pivot shaft.
Preferably, the second pair of opposing flanges are attached to the handle via a second member.
Preferably, the pivot shaft is attached to the steamer head via the first member.
In some embodiments, the garment steamer includes an annular member, such as a rigid annular member, mounted to the handle, the annular member defining an aperture through which at least one electrical wire and/or water tube extends to an outer curved surface of the pivot shaft.
In addition to helping to guide the wires and/or water tubes onto the outer curved surface, the annular member may also help to protect the wires and/or water tubes from damage during assembly of the garment steamer.
The annular member is for example connected to the second member.
For example, this may facilitate assembly of the garment steamer relative to a scenario in which the second member and the annular member are separate components.
In some embodiments, the pivoting link is adapted to allow the garment steamer head to pivot relative to the handle between the first angular position and the second angular position, the pivoting link comprising a locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the pivoting link in the first angular position and the second angular position.
For example, the first angular position is used to facilitate steaming of a hanging garment and the second angular position is used to facilitate steaming of a garment placed on a mat or ironing board.
The locking mechanism is preferably formed by:
a hinge gear comprising a set of teeth, the hinge gear being arranged along the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft, and
-At least one of the above second pair of opposing flanges comprising a first set of slots arranged to receive and engage the set of teeth to lock the pivot coupling in the first angular position and a second set of slots arranged to receive and engage the set of teeth to lock the pivot coupling in the second angular position.
The hinge gear is preferably movable in a first axial direction to release a set of teeth from the first set of slots or the second set of slots and movable in a second axial direction to engage the set of teeth with the first set of slots or the second set of slots.
Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a user actuatable release member, the hinge gear being movable by user actuation of the user actuatable release member of the garment steamer.
For example, the user actuatable release member is a button or lever.
The hinge gear is preferably coupled to an additional pivot shaft adapted to translate along a longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft upon user actuation of the user actuatable release member.
Such actuation by the user includes, for example, pushing the button described above.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a spring arranged to provide a force in the second axial direction on the additional pivot shaft to retain the set of teeth in and engage the first set of slots or the second set of slots, the user actuatable release member being actuatable to overcome the force.
For example, the button may be pushed to overcome the force.
Preferably, the garment steamer is a hand-held garment steamer.
For example, the hand-held garment steamer is a portable hand-held garment steamer comprising a steam generator, a water tank for storing water supplied to the steam generator, and a treatment panel having at least one steam outlet disposed therein.
A detailed explanation and other aspects of the invention will be given below.
Drawings
Specific aspects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter and considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts or sub-steps are designated in like manner:
figures 1A and 1B schematically depict a garment steamer according to an example,
Figure 1C provides a cross-sectional view of the garment steamer of figures 1A and 1B,
Fig. 2 provides a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the portion of the garment steamer head and handle included in the garment steamer shown in fig. 1C,
Figure 3 provides a perspective view of the interior of the portion of the handle and the portion of the steamer head shown in figure 1C,
Figure 4 provides an enlarged view of the pivotal coupling between the portion of the handle shown in figure 1C and the steamer head,
Fig. 5 provides a perspective view of the interior of the garment steamer of fig. 1C, with the insert providing an enlarged view showing the pivotal coupling supporting the electrical wires and the water conduit extending between the steamer head and the handle,
Figure 6 provides another interior view of the garment steamer of figure 1C,
Figure 7 provides a perspective view showing the handle attachment portion of the pivot coupling shown in figures 4 and 5,
Figure 8 provides a perspective view of the garment steamer head attachable portion showing the handle attachment portion and the pivot coupling shown in figure 7,
Fig. 9A provides a cross-sectional view, showing an assembled locking mechanism for releasably locking the pivotal coupling in different angular positions,
Figure 9B provides a perspective view of a portion of the locking mechanism shown in figure 9A,
Fig. 10 schematically depicts an assembly stage of the garment steamer of fig. 1C, and
Fig. 11 provides a cross-sectional view showing a portion of the handle attachment portion of the pivot coupling shown in fig. 7.
Detailed Description
Figures 1A and 1B provide views of a garment steamer 100 that includes a handle 102 for holding the garment steamer 100 and a steamer head 104. Garment steamer ironing head 104 is connected to handle 102 by a pivot coupling PC.
The pivot coupling PC allows the steamer head 104 to pivot relative to the handle 102. This may assist the user in selecting the appropriate angle of the steamer head 104 relative to the handle 102, for example when steaming garments (not shown) suspended vertically, for example, from a clothes hanger, and steaming garments placed horizontally, for example, on a pad or ironing board.
Fig. 1A shows an upright garment steamer 100 for steaming hanging garments and fig. 1B shows a horizontal garment steamer 100 for steaming garments placed on a pad or ironing board.
Fig. 1C provides a cross-sectional view showing the interior of the garment steamer 100.
Fig. 3 provides a perspective view of the interior of the portion of the handle and the portion of the steamer head shown in fig. 1C.
Fig. 5 provides a perspective view of the interior of the garment steamer of fig. 1C, with the insert providing an enlarged view showing the pivotal coupling supporting the electrical wires and the water conduit extending between the steamer head and the handle.
Fig. 6 provides another interior view of the garment steamer of fig. 1C.
Fig. 10 schematically depicts an assembly stage of the garment steamer shown in fig. 1C.
Fig. 1C particularly shows a steam generator 106 disposed in the steamer head 104. The steam generator 106 generates steam from a water tank 124 disposed in the handle 102.
In the non-limiting example shown in fig. 1A-1C, steam generated by the steam generator 106 is released from the steamer head 104 via one or more steam outlets 108 provided in the treatment plate 110.
The garment steamer 100 may be used to bring the treatment panel 110 into contact with the garment being treated. The angular adjustment of the steamer head 104 relative to the handle 102, effected by the pivot coupling PC, may help a user to comfortably hold the treatment panel 110 on a garment suspended or placed on a pad or ironing board.
The process plate 110 may be formed of any suitable thermally stable and thermally conductive material, such as a metal alloy or metal, for example aluminum.
The garment steamer head 104 may serve as a housing in which certain components of the garment steamer 100, in particular the steam generator 106, are arranged. To this end, the steamer head 104 may comprise a housing material, i.e. a shell, such as an engineering thermoplastic, e.g. polypropylene.
Similarly, the handle 102 may also serve as a housing for some of the components of the garment steamer 100, such as the electrical components used to control the steam generator 106. To this end, the handle 102 may comprise a suitable housing material, such as an engineering thermoplastic, e.g., polypropylene.
Referring again to fig. 1C, at least one electrical wire 118 and/or water tube 120 extends between the handle 102 and the steamer head 104.
The steam generator 106 includes an electric heater 121 for heating the steam generator 106 to evaporate water introduced into the steam generator to generate steam.
The heater 121 is supplied with electricity by the electric wire 118.
For example, the wires 118 are made of copper, the insulation/jacket is made of silicone rubber or any suitable material, and their outer diameter is in the range of 1mm to 3mm, preferably 2.35mm.
Water is supplied from the water tank 124 to the steam generator 106 through the water pipe 120.
In other words, water may be supplied from the water tank 124 in the handle 102 via the water pipe 120 to the steam generator 106 in the steamer head 104.
For example, the water pipe 120 is made of silicone or EPDM rubber material, and has an outer diameter in the range of 5mm to 10mm, preferably 6mm.
It should be noted that the placement of the water tank 124 in the handle 102 (note that the steam generator 106 is included in the steamer head 104) may provide advantageous weight balance between the handle 102 and the steamer head 104. In this way, the center of gravity of the garment steamer 100 may be closer to where the user is gripping the garment steamer 100 during steaming of the garment. This may help the user to handle the garment steamer 100, especially when treating garments with steam.
In the non-limiting example shown in fig. 1A to 1C, the garment steamer 100 and in particular the heater 121 is powered by a mains power supply. In this case, the garment steamer 100 comprises a power cord 122A for connecting the garment steamer 100 to a mains power supply.
The power cord 122A is preferably connected to the handle 102. In the particular example shown in fig. 1A-1C, the power cord 122A is connected to the handle 102 at or proximal to a lower end of the handle 102 that is distal with respect to the steamer head 104. This may help the user to handle the garment steamer 100, especially when treating garments with steam.
With the heater 121 disposed in the steamer head 104, the electrical wires 118 extend between the handle 102 and the steamer head 104, respectively, for example, therebetween. To prevent the wires 118 from being kinked or pinched by the pivot coupling PC, particularly due to repeated angular adjustment of the garment steamer head 104 relative to the handle 102 during the operational life of the garment steamer 100, implementations of the pivot coupling PC according to the invention include specific features that will be described in more detail below.
The power cord 122A may be connected to the handle 102 in any suitable manner, such as at or proximal to the lower end of the handle 102. In the non-limiting example shown in fig. 1A-1C, the power cord 122A is connected to the handle 102 via a power cord grommet 122B. The power cord loop 122B may be formed of any suitable material, such as thermoplastic polyurethane.
Referring to fig. 1C, in this example, the electrical wire 118 connects the heater 121 to a power switch 152 contained in the handle 102, which in turn is connected to mains power via a power cord 122A. Alternatively, the wires 118 may connect the heater 121 to a control circuit 123 included in a printed circuit board assembly in the handle 102, the control circuit 123 including, for example, a microcontroller and a relay.
Considering that the water tank 124 is disposed in the handle 102, the water pipe 120 thus extends between the handle 102 and the steamer head 104, for example, disposed therebetween.
In order to prevent the risk of the water pipe 120 being damaged by the pivot coupling PC, embodiments of the pivot coupling PC according to the present invention include specific features that will be described in more detail below.
Referring to fig. 2-11, the pivot coupling PC accordingly includes a pivot shaft 116 having an outer curved surface supporting an electrical wire 118 and/or a water tube 120.
By guiding the wires 118 and/or the water pipes 120 on the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft 116 between the handle 102 and the steamer head 104, the risk of damaging the wires 118 and/or the water pipes 120, for example by kinking or squeezing of the pivot coupling PC, is reduced.
The guiding of the wire 118 and/or the water tube 120 by the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft 116 is evident in fig. 2 and 3. A portion of the wire 118 and/or a portion of the water pipe 120 may follow the curvature of the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft 116 such that the wire 118 and/or the water pipe 120 arch over the pivot coupling PC between the handle 102 and the steamer head 104. Near the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft 116, portions of the wires 118 and/or the water pipe 120 may collapse/expand as the steamer iron 104 pivots relative to the handle 102.
The pivot link PC preferably includes at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B extending from an outer curved surface of the pivot shaft 116. At least one pair of opposing flanges and the outer curved surface form a groove to accommodate the wire 118 and/or the water tube 120.
The groove may help guide and protect the wires 118 and/or the water pipe 120 extending between the handle 102 and the steamer head 104, thereby reducing the risk of the pivot coupling PC damaging the wires 118 and/or the water pipe 120.
Preferably, the pivot shaft 116 is fixed relative to the garment steamer head 104 and at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B includes a first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B fixed relative to the pivot shaft 116. The electrical wire 118 and/or the water tube 120 may thus be held laterally between the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B, as best shown in fig. 9A.
Preferably, the pivot shaft 116 is fixed relative to the steamer head 104, and at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B includes a second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B that are fixed relative to the handle 102 and adapted to rotate about the pivot shaft 116. The second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B may also help hold the wire 118 and/or the water tube 120 laterally in place, as best shown in fig. 3 and 9A.
Preferably, a second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B are attached to the handle 102 via a second member 114C, as best shown in FIGS. 9A and 11.
The second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B and the second member 114C may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or metal alloy.
For example, by forming the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B and/or the second member 114C separately from the housing material of the handle 102, e.g., from a material that is more rigid than the housing material, the robustness of the attachment of the handle 102 to the steamer head 104 may be enhanced.
Preferably, the pivot shaft 116 is attached to the garment steamer head 104 via a first member 116C, as shown in fig. 8
The first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B and the first member 116C may be formed of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or metal alloy.
The first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B is preferably sandwiched between the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B. This may help minimize or prevent lateral shifting of the pivot shaft 116.
Furthermore, such clamping may enable the dimensions and/or profile of the groove to be customized, for example, according to the wire 118 and/or the water tube 120 to be received in the groove.
In some embodiments, the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B protrude to a higher height than the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B. In other words, the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B protrude farther from the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft 116 than the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B protrude with respect to the outer curved surface.
The second, higher pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B may help prevent the wire 118 and/or the water tube 120 from escaping from the dedicated path therebetween during assembly of the garment steamer 100. This minimizes the risk of damaging the wires 118 and/or the water pipes 120, for example by contact with the top housing portion 130 of the steamer head 104, which top housing portion 130 is secured to the bottom housing portion 128 during assembly of the steamer head 104.
In the non-limiting example shown in the drawings, a first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B is sandwiched between a second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, and the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B is higher in height than the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B. Thus, the groove has a narrower portion between the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B and a wider portion where the second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B protrude higher than the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B.
For example, the narrower portion accommodates the water tube 120 and the wider portion accommodates the electrical wire 118, as shown in fig. 9A, so that in this example, the first pair of opposing flanges 116A/116B primarily retain the electrical wire 118 therebetween.
In other examples (not shown), the first and second pairs of opposing flanges protrude to the same height as each other relative to the outer curved surface, such as to a shorter height of the first pair of opposing flanges in the examples shown in the figures. This may be sufficient to hold the wire laterally.
In some embodiments, an annular member 125 (e.g., a rigid annular member 125) is mounted to the handle 102, the annular member 125 defining an aperture 126 through which the electrical wire 118 and/or the water tube 120 extend to an outer curved surface of the pivot shaft 116. In the non-limiting example shown in the drawings, the annular member 125 is connected to the second member 114C. For example, this may facilitate assembly of the garment steamer 100 relative to a scenario in which the second member 114C and the annular member 125 are separate components.
In addition to helping to guide the wires 118 and/or the water tubes 120 onto the outer curved surface, the annular member 125 may also help to protect the wires 118 and/or the water tubes 120 from damage during assembly of the garment steamer 100.
In some embodiments, the pivot coupling PC is adapted to allow the garment steamer head 104 to pivot relative to the handle 102 between the first angular position and the second angular position, the pivot coupling PC comprising a locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the pivot coupling PC in the first angular position and the second angular position.
For example, the first angular position is used to facilitate steaming of a hanging garment and the second angular position is used to facilitate steaming of a garment placed on a mat or ironing board. Changing from the first angular position to the second angular position may, for example, include pivoting the steamer head 104 relative to the handle 102 such that the plane of the treating plate 110 moves toward or into a parallel relationship with the elongate axis of the handle 102, as shown in fig. 1B.
The locking mechanism may be implemented in any suitable manner, a non-limiting example of which is shown in fig. 7 and 8. In embodiments where at least one pair of opposing flanges 114A/114B, 116A/116B includes a second pair of opposing flanges 114A/114 that are fixed relative to pivot axis 116, the locking mechanism may be formed by:
A hinge gear 136 comprising a set of teeth 138, the hinge gear 136 being arranged along the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft 116, and
At least one of the second pair of opposing flanges 114A, 114B comprising a first set of slots 142A arranged to receive and engage the set of teeth 138 to lock the pivot coupling PC in the first angular position and a second set of slots 142B arranged to receive and engage the set of teeth 138 to lock the pivot coupling PC in the second angular position.
The hinge gear 136 is preferably movable in a first axial direction to release the set of teeth 138 from the first set of slots 142A or the second set of slots 142B, and movable in a second axial direction to engage the set of teeth 138 with the first set of slots 142A or the second set of slots 142B.
Preferably, the locking mechanism includes a user actuatable release member 144, the hinge gear 136 being movable by user actuation of the user actuatable release member 144 by a user of the garment steamer 100. The user actuatable release member 144 shown in fig. 7 and 8 takes the form of a push button, but other types of user actuatable release members 144 are contemplated, such as a lever.
The hinge gear 136 is preferably coupled to an additional pivot shaft 112 that is adapted to translate along the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft 116 upon user actuation of the user-actuatable release member 144, such as upon pushing the button described above.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a spring 146 arranged to provide a force in the second axial direction on the additional pivot shaft 112 to retain and engage the set of teeth in the first set of slots 142A or the second set of slots 142B, wherein the user-actuatable release member 144 (e.g., a button) is actuatable to overcome the force.
Actuation of the actuatable release member 144 (e.g., pushing a button) overcomes this force and thus may release the locking mechanism so that the angular position may be selected. The spring 146 biases the actuatable release member 144 back to its unactuated position in which the selected angular position is locked.
The user actuatable release member 144 may be coupled to the additional pivot shaft 112 in any suitable manner. In the non-limiting example shown in fig. 7 and 8, a user actuatable release member 144 (in this case a button) is coupled to the additional pivot shaft 112 via a connector member 148. In this example, the connector member 148 is secured to the additional pivot shaft 112 by a fastener 150 (e.g., a screw).
As also shown in fig. 7 and 8, the spring 146 is located between the connector member 148 and one of the flanges 114A of the second pair of opposing flanges.
In some embodiments, the steamer head 104 includes a bottom housing portion 128 and a top housing portion 130, as best shown in fig. 10.
The range of pivoting of the steamer head 104 relative to the handle 102 is defined, for example, by movement of the steamer head 104 relative to the handle 102 in a first direction, the movement being limited by contact between the at least one first stop portion 132A, 132B and the bottom housing portion 128. Similarly, movement of the steamer head 104 relative to the handle 102 in a second direction opposite the first direction may be limited by contact between the at least one second stop portion 134A, 134B and the top housing portion 130.
In such an embodiment, at least one first stop portion 132A, 132B and at least one second stop portion 134A, 134B are provided in the handle 102. For example, at least one first stop portion 132A, 132B and at least one second stop portion 134A, 134B are included in the second member 114C, as best shown in fig. 7, 8, 10 and 11.
Returning to fig. 1A-1C, after the water tank 124 is full, the garment steamer 100 can be used to treat garments with steam. To this end, the garment steamer 100 may be turned on via the power switch 152, for example, after connecting the garment steamer 100 to mains power via the power cord 122A.
The steam supply may be controlled via a steam trigger 154. The steam trigger 154 may, for example, be used to control a pump 156 that pumps water from the water tank 124 to the steam generator 106 via the water line 120.
In the non-limiting example shown in the figures, and in particular fig. 10 and 11, the steam trigger 154 is assembled from outside the bottom handle housing portion 158 and held in place by a latch. The return spring 160 is used to bias the steam trigger 154 to its home position.
The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the technical methods of the present invention. Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical solution of the invention may be modified or equivalently replaced without departing from the scope of the claims of the invention. In particular, although the invention has been described on the basis of a garment steamer, the invention may be applied to any domestic appliance, such as a hand-held domestic appliance, having a steam generator arranged in a first section and rotating relative to a second section. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope.
Claims (15)
1. A garment steamer (100), the garment steamer comprising:
A handle (102) for holding the garment steamer,
A garment steamer head (104) comprising a steam generator (106) for generating steam,
-A water pipe (120) extending between the handle and the garment steamer head, and
-A Pivot Coupling (PC) connecting the handle and the steamer head, the pivot coupling comprising a pivot shaft (116) having an outer curved surface supporting the water pipe (120) such that the water pipe is guided on the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft between the handle and the steamer head.
2. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 1, wherein the Pivot Coupling (PC) includes at least one pair of opposing flanges (114A/114B, 116 a/116B) projecting away from the outer curved surface, the at least one pair of opposing flanges and the curved surface forming a recess to accommodate the water pipe (120).
3. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 2, wherein:
-the pivot axis (116) is fixed with respect to the garment steamer head (104), and
-The at least one pair of opposing flanges comprises a first pair of opposing flanges (116A/116B) fixed relative to the pivot axis (116).
4. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 2, wherein:
-the pivot axis (116) is fixed with respect to the garment steamer head (104), and
-The at least one pair of opposing flanges comprises a second pair of opposing flanges (114A/114B) fixed relative to the handle (102) and adapted to rotate about the pivot axis (116).
5. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 4, wherein the second pair of opposing flanges (114A/114B) is taller than the first pair of opposing flanges (116A/116B).
6. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first pair of opposing flanges (116A/116B) is sandwiched between the second pair of opposing flanges (114A/114B).
7. The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the second pair of opposing flanges (114A/114B) is attached to the handle (102) via a second member (114C).
8. The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pivot shaft (116) is attached to the steamer head (104) via a first member (116C).
9. The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising an annular member (125) mounted to the handle (102), the annular member defining an aperture (126) through which the water tube (120) extends to the outer curved surface of the pivot shaft (116).
10. The garment steamer (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the Pivot Coupling (PC) is adapted to allow the steamer head (104) to pivot relative to the handle (102) between a first angular position and a second angular position, the pivot coupling comprising a locking mechanism adapted to releasably lock the pivot coupling in the first angular position and the second angular position.
11. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism is formed by:
-a hinge gear (136) comprising a set of teeth (138), said hinge gear being arranged along a longitudinal axis of said pivot shaft (116), and
-At least one flange of the second pair of opposite flanges (114 a, 114B) comprising a first set of slots (142A) arranged to receive and engage the set of teeth to lock the Pivot Coupling (PC) in the first angular position and a second set of slots (142B) arranged to receive and engage the set of teeth to lock the pivot coupling in the second angular position.
12. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 11, wherein the hinge gear (136):
-movable in a first axial direction to release the set of teeth (138) from the first set of slots (142A) or the second set of slots (142B), and
-Movable in a second axial direction to engage the set of teeth (138) with the first set of slots or the second set of slots.
13. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 12, wherein the hinge gear (136) is movable via a user actuatable release member (144) adapted to be actuated by a user of the garment steamer.
14. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 13, wherein the hinge gear (136) is coupled to an additional pivot shaft (112) adapted to translate along the longitudinal axis of the pivot shaft (116) upon actuation of the user-actuatable release member (144) by the user.
15. The garment steamer (100) according to claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring (146) arranged to provide a force on the additional pivot shaft (112) in the second axial direction to retain and engage the set of teeth (138) in the first set of slots (142A) or the second set of slots (142B), the user actuatable release member (144) being actuatable to overcome the force.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP21206919.9 | 2021-11-08 | ||
| EP21206919.9A EP4177393A1 (en) | 2021-11-08 | 2021-11-08 | Garment steamer comprising a pivotable steamer head |
| PCT/EP2022/080279 WO2023078805A1 (en) | 2021-11-08 | 2022-10-28 | Garment steamer comprising a pivotable steamer head |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN118215762A true CN118215762A (en) | 2024-06-18 |
Family
ID=78592488
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN202280073745.3A Pending CN118215762A (en) | 2021-11-08 | 2022-10-28 | Steamer including a pivotable steamer head |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (2) | EP4177393A1 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20240100411A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN118215762A (en) |
| PL (1) | PL4430239T3 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2023078805A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4571483A (en) * | 1984-07-30 | 1986-02-18 | Traveltec International, Inc. | Portable steamer |
| CN103334280B (en) * | 2013-06-21 | 2015-05-13 | 宁波凯波集团有限公司 | Ironing head with two gestures of vertically and flatly ironing |
| KR102284642B1 (en) * | 2017-05-24 | 2021-07-30 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Steamer and control method of steamer |
| KR200492713Y1 (en) * | 2018-12-29 | 2020-11-27 | 닝보 카이보 그룹 컴퍼니 리미티드 | Folding type steam iron |
| CN111534998A (en) * | 2020-05-31 | 2020-08-14 | 宁波凯波智能熨烫电器制造有限公司 | Ironing machine capable of adjusting ironing angle |
-
2021
- 2021-11-08 EP EP21206919.9A patent/EP4177393A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2022
- 2022-10-28 EP EP22809821.6A patent/EP4430239B1/en active Active
- 2022-10-28 KR KR1020247018931A patent/KR20240100411A/en active Pending
- 2022-10-28 WO PCT/EP2022/080279 patent/WO2023078805A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2022-10-28 CN CN202280073745.3A patent/CN118215762A/en active Pending
- 2022-10-28 PL PL22809821.6T patent/PL4430239T3/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP4177393A1 (en) | 2023-05-10 |
| KR20240100411A (en) | 2024-07-01 |
| PL4430239T3 (en) | 2025-03-17 |
| EP4430239A1 (en) | 2024-09-18 |
| EP4430239B1 (en) | 2025-01-22 |
| WO2023078805A1 (en) | 2023-05-11 |
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