FORM - 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (SECTION -10)
A geometrically designed electric iron with counter weight mounted on its rear side in such a fashion that when the iron is left unattended, the iron takes an inclined position such that the soleplate does not touch - the horizontal surface it is kept on.
BAJAJ ELECTRICALS LIMITED, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT -APPLIANCES BU,
15-17, SANT SAVTA MARG,
REAY ROAD,
MUMBAI-400023,
MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
AN INDIAN COMPANY
The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed: -

TECHNICAL FIELD .
The invention relates to an electric iron or steam iron geometrically designed with a counter weight mounted on its rear side, i.e. behind the soleplate, in a manner such that the centre of gravity is away from the soleplate area, while the iron soleplate is in horizontal position. The weight and the geometry of the iron it to take a position with the soleplate inclined at an angle with the ground, thereby avoiding the contact of hot iron soleplate with the fabric.
BACKGROUND ART -.
Standard Existing configuration and the working principle involved in standard existing product: (Please refer Illustration No. 1 and 2)
Electric irons or steam irons, in which generally a triangular shaped
(with curved edges) aluminum soleplate-1 is heated by an electric
heater attached to one of its surface, to provide heat energy to the
soleplate mass. The outer surface of the soleplate is flat and smooth
and is used for gliding over the cloth to remove wrinkles thereby
resulting in ironing of the fabric. The temperatures involved are
approximately close to 200°C. Aluminum soleplate surface when
k brought in touch with fabric relieves the wrinkles on the cloth and by
the gliding action, the surface of the fabric is flattened. In steam irons
there is provision to inject/ disperse steam, which is generated by
heating water in the chamber over the heating side of the soleplate.
The wrinkle removal is possible when the cloth is subjected to soleplate temperature of specific range and surface movement for limited time. If the fabric is subjected to high temperature for prolonged period, there is possibility of fabric getting burnt. Hence a provision is made in the

irons in general to adjust the period for which the iron shall remain in ON condition by means of a thermostat-2. The thermostat can be manually adjusted by means of a knob-10. For specific type of fabric some specific temperature ranges are recommended. The adjustments of the knob can be done to achieve the desired range of temperatures. The duration for which thermostat allows heater to heat, decides the range of temperatures that can be achieved.
While knob position of thermostat can determine \h& period for which iron can remain in Heater ON mode and temperature range in which heater operates, it cannot detect type of fabric and the time it can withstand the heat. For instance if the temperature setting by manual adjustment of knob is made for linen, and actually silk is being ironed, there is always a chance of overheating of fabric. Moreover the type of fabric may not be common for all clothes being taken up for ironing at any moment of time. Hence adjustment of temperatures is a task to be undertaken selectively and manually. In such circumstances there is always a chance of error.
Hence it is a prerequisite to keep iron on its stand, viz. in the resting position, formed by back cover-16 while not ironing or while you are preparing the cloth and not ironing for that limited period. Every time ironing is over or during intermediate periods of non-use of iron, the iron needs to be tilted and placed on resting surface manually. This makes sure that the soleplate is not touching the cloth and there is no chance of burning of the cloth. The soleplate, heating element, the thermostat and electric wiring is housed in soleplate cover-4 (made in SS or plastic : in case of SS a heat barrler-5 is also present). Over this soleplate cover a handle-8 is fixed with a handle cover-14, together forming a grip for holding the iron when in use. The handle cover or

handle or both together forms place for the supply cord-19 and grommet-18 entry.
A back cover-16 which closes the rear side of the iron forms a resting surface of the iron including an angle of approx 75-80° with soleplate plane. For power indication there is a neon lamp-13 and a neon lamp cover-15. When the iron is placed over the soleplate surface, the arrangement of all the components is such that the equilibrium is maintained (i.e. the line of weight passes through the center of gravity and is well within the supported region of the soleplate.)
In regular household it is often observed that the person ironing is needed to keep attending to various other household activities simultaneously and there is always a chance of an accident if the hot iron is not placed on its resting place, (for example, if a housewife is ironing cloths and her baby needs attention immediately, there is always a chance that she might keep the iron on the fabric in ON condition inadvertently and may not attend it for more than ten minutes.) There is a need to address this issue through some innovative approach. The present invention addresses to this problem and solves it successfully and economically.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION :
The object of the present invention is to avoid contact of the hot electric iron soleplate to the fabric under intermittent NON-Use/ stationary circumstances. The invention mentioned and explained here makes sure that the iron soleplate automatically swings to an angular position when left unattended; thus making the user free of worries of attending to the

iron in such circumstances of non-use. This present invention applies to all types of electric irons, steam irons, travel irons, spray irons etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION : Please refer illustration no 4.
The new art envisages, use of a counter weight, to tilt the electric iron /
steam iron in combination with
a sole plate-1 with heating element mounted on its inside surface;
A thermostat-8 mounted in the product to switch on and off the supply
to the heater-,
A cover-4 over the soleplate (either MS, SS or plastic material)
mounted by means of screws (In case this is MS or SS a Heat insulator
cover-5 is also used);
A handle-8 mounted on the cover with the screws;
A handle cover-14 snap fitted on the handle and
A neon lamp cover-15 fitted over the handle or soleplate cover;
The back cover-16 which contains arrangement for holding swivel cord
solely or combined with handle cover and mounted with handle by
means of screw;
The back cover forming a cavity to accommodate counter weight-20 to
tilt the iron;
The counter weight (in CI or MS or even packet of sand may be used.) such that the weight of the same is enough to tilt the iron sufficiently

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS :
Illustration Nos. 1 and 2 : shows the configuration of the standard existing electric iron, the weight distribution in iron when in use and when resting
Illustration No. 3 : shows the configuration of the invention on the electric iron, the weight distribution and the inclined resting position for which patent is claimed.
Illustration No. 4 : Generalized schematic details of the invention in exploded view, this can be different based on the design criterion, matching part design etc.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION -.
In the invention explained in the illustration No. 3, the components are so arranged that the line of centre of gravity of the product falls on the unsupported part of the product. This makes sure that, when the iron is placed on the fabric on horizontal plane, there is always an unbalanced force on the product. A turning couple created by this unbalanced force due to the counter weight ensures the iron to swing away from the fabric, so that the centre of gravity of the entire product comes perpendicular to a supported surface.
When the iron is in use, a user holds the handle and glides the iron over fabric in such a way that the soleplate is always touching the cloth. This activity in terms of force analysis can be divided into two parts. First being the force exerted by user on the iron to make it remain in horizontal position. (This force is actually countering the unbalance). The other force being force exerted by user to glide the iron.

When the user lifts his hand, (refer illustration No. 3, D), the balancing force gets removed. An unbalance is created; the iron tilts and rests in position explained in the said drawing. The arrangement of the resting plane in balanced position is such that the lowermost edge of the soleplate is sufficiently above the resting plane; thus avoiding its contact with the cloth.
This invention hence makes sure that the iron soleplate automatically swings to an angular inclined position when left unattended thereby ruling out the possibility of the soleplate overheating the fabric when it is placed over it and is left unattended.

Claims:
We claim :
1. An invention relating to an electric iron (light weight as well as
heavy duty), steam iron, or travel iron or spray iron consisting of (a) a
soleplate with a heating arrangement on one side; (b) a thermostat to
decide the duration of heating and temperature range of operation with
manual adjustment knob; (c) incase of steam irons a water chamber, a
steam chamber and mechanism of spraying the steam; (d) a cover over
the soleplate, which can be either of plastic material, SS material or MS
material; (e) a handle over the cover in plastic or appropriate material,
which has a provision for holding the iron; (f) a swivel cord and mains
cable assembly, which goes through the rear cover and (g) a rear cover,
which houses a counter weight (counter weight being made of any
suitable material like CI or MS or even a packet of sand may be used)
placed in the rear side and behind the soleplate and of the same weight
sufficient enough to tilt the iron at an inclined angle
All these components arranged in specifically designed geometric arrangement making sure that there is an unbalance created when the iron is placed over its soleplate surface and when no external force is applied / or the handle is not held in hand such that the soleplate does not touch the horizontal surface or the fabric it is kept on.
2. An invention as claimed in claim 1 above, wherein a provision is
made within the iron to add some counter weight (in CI or MS or even a
packet of sand may be used) placed in the rear side and behind the
soleplate of such weight sufficient enough to tilt the iron at an inclined
angle.

3. An invention as claimed in claims 1 and 2 above, wherein provision is made for creating an unbalanced force by adding an unbalanced weight or by means of shear geometry whereby the unbalanced force forms turning couple over the component and turns the iron to balance itself.
4. An invention as claimed in claim 3 above wherein the iron gets turned by this force and rests on the designated surface making sure that the soleplate moves away from the cloth and turns at an angle appropriately chosen and comes to a position such that it does not come in contact with the fabric when left unattended.
5. An invention as claimed in claims 1 to 4 above wherein by virtue of this arrangement of the iron getting turned to an inclined position when in On-position but left unattended which ensures avoiding any undue accidents of burning or overheating of the cloth when the iron is left unattended by its user.
6. An invention as claimed in claim 1 above wherein owing to the weight of the counter weight mounted on the rear side of the iron, the centre of gravity is away from the sole plate area.
7. An invention as claimed in claim 1 above wherein the components are so arranged that the line of centre of gravity of the product falls on the unsupported part of the product thus ensuring the when the iron is placed on the fabric on a horizontal plane, there is always an unbalanced force on the product. A turning couple created by this unbalanced force due to the counter weight ensures the iron to swing

away from the fabric so that the centre of gravity of the entire product comes perpendicular to the supported surface.
8. An invention as claimed in claim 1 above wherein when the iron is in use, a user holds the handle and glides the iron over fabric in such a way that the soleplate is always touching the cloth and the force exerted by the user on the iron makes it to remain in horizontal position. However when the user lifts his hand, the balancing force gets removed and an unbalance is created which results in the iron tilting and resting in an inclined position such that the lowermost edge of the soleplate is sufficiently above the resting plane; thus avoiding its contact with the cloth.
Dated this 18th day of January 2008

ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION :
An invention relating to an electric iron (light weight as well as heavy duty), steam iron, or travel iron or spray iron consisting of a counter weight placed in its rear side and behind the soleplate and of the same weight sufficient enough to tilt the iron at an inclined angle such that when the iron is in use, a user holds the handle and glides the iron over fabric in such a way that the soleplate is always touching the cloth and the force exerted by the user on the iron makes it to remain in horizontal position and when the user lifts his hand, the balancing force gets removed and an unbalance is created which results in the iron tilting and resting in an inclined position such that the lowermost edge of the soleplate is sufficiently above the resting plane; thus avoiding its contact with the cloth.