US20030070331A1

US20030070331A1 - Ironing structure

Info

Publication number: US20030070331A1
Application number: US09/974,671
Authority: US
Inventors: Shou Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-10
Filing date: 2001-10-11
Publication date: 2003-04-17
Also published as: DE20116614U1; GB0124442D0; GB2380741A

Abstract

An ironing structure comprises a shell and a blow drier detachably attached to the shell. The shell is provided in the top with a receiving portion for holding one end of the barrel of the blow drier. The receiving portion is in communication with the hollow interior of the shell. The shell is provided at the bottom with a soleplate which is warmed up by the hot air streams of the blow drier to facilitate the pressing of the clothes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a device for pressing clothes, and more particularly to an ironing structure which is used in conjunction with a hair drier serving as a heat source.

2. Description of Related Art

A portable flatiron is useful adjunct for a frequent traveler; nevertheless it gives an added weight to the luggage. In view of the fact that the flatiron comprises a circuit and a heating assembly, the flatiron is relatively heavy. The flatiron takes up space in the luggage and adds additional weight to the luggage, thereby causing the luggage weight to surpass the weight limit that is allowed by the airliners.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an ironing structure which is used to press clothes in conjunction with a hair drier serving as a heat source of the ironing structure. Both ironing structure and the hair drier are useful adjuncts for the travelers.

In keeping with the principle of the present invention, the foregoing objective of the present invention is attained by an ironing structure comprising a hollow shell and a blow drier. The hollow shell is provided with a soleplate and a receptacle opposite to the soleplate.

In use, the barrel of the blow drier is fitted into the receptacle such that the handle of the blow drier serves as the handle of the ironing structure. The blow drier sends out a stream of hot air to warm up the soleplate.

The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of two preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hollow shell of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0009]
FIG. 2 shows a side sectional view of the hollow shell of the embodiment of the present invention. [0010]
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0011]
FIG. 4 shows a sectional schematic view of the first preferred embodiment of the present of invention at work. [0012]
FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a hollow shell of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0013]
FIG. 6 shows a side sectional view of the hollow shell of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in combination. [0014]
FIG. 7 shows a side schematic view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in use. [0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 14, an ironing structure of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a [0016] pressing unit 10 and a hot air generating unit 1. The pressing unit 10 is a shell, whereas the hot air generating unit 1 is a blow drier.
The [0017] shell 10 is provided in the top with a receiving portion 11, and in the bottom with a soleplate 13. The receiving portion 11 and the soleplate 13 are made integrally with the shell 10. Located between the receiving portion 11 and the soleplate 13 is a hollow interior. The receiving portion 11 is provided with an open top 12 and in the outer wall with a retaining ring 111 and a retaining protrusion 112. The blow drier 1 is provided at one end of a barrel 2 with a retaining slot 4 and a retaining indentation 5. The ironing structure of the present invention is used in such a manner that the barrel 2 of the blow drier 1 is engaged with the receiving portion 11 of the shell 10, and that the handle of the blow drier serves as the handle of the ironing structure, and further that the soleplate 13 of the shell 10 is warmed up by the hot air streams 3 of the blow drier 1 for pressing clothes. The soleplate 13 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes 14. The barrel 2 of the blow drier 1 is held securely in place by the retaining ring 111 which is retained in the retaining slot 4, and the retaining protrusion 112 which is retained in the retaining indentation 5.
As shown in FIGS. [0018] 5-7, the ironing structure of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is basically similar in construction to that of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the difference being that the shell 10 of the second preferred embodiment is provided in the bottom side with a soleplate 15 which is made separately and is attached to the bottom side of the shell 10 by a plurality of fastening means. The bottom side of the shell 10 is provided with a plurality of threaded tubes 101 fastened thereto. The soleplate 15 is provided with a plurality of through holes and fastening screws 6. The soleplate 15 is fastened to the bottom side of the shell 10 by the fastening screws 6 which are engaged with the threaded tubes 101 via the through holes of the soleplate 15. The soleplate 15 is provided with a plurality of ventilation holes and hot air channels 131 for use in prewarming the clothes to be pressed.
The embodiments of the present invention described are to be regarded in all respects as being merely illustrative and nonrestrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following claims. [0019]

Claims

I claim:

1. An ironing structure comprising:

a shell for pressing clothes; and

a blow drier capable of generating hot air streams, said blow drier comprising a handle and a barrel which is detachably engaged with said shell to send the hot air streams into a hollow interior of said shell;

wherein said shell is provided in a top with a receiving portion for holding one end of the barrel of the blow drier, said receiving portion being in communication with the hollow interior of said shell whereby said shell is further provided in a bottom with a soleplate having a plurality of ventilation holes.

2. The ironing structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said soleplate is made integrally with said shell.

3. The ironing structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said soleplate is made separately from said shell and is then fastened to the bottom of said shell.

4. The ironing structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said soleplate is provided with a plurality of hot air channels for prewarming the clothes to be pressed.