Ironing board apparatus and methods

Abstract

An ironing board apparatus comprising a primary ironing board component comprising a first surface suitable for ironing fabrics; and a secondary ironing board component comprising a second surface suitable for ironing fabrics, wherein the secondary ironing board component is rotatably attached to the primary ironing board component, and wherein the secondary ironing board component lies in a different but parallel plane than the primary ironing board component. Another aspect comprises an ironing board apparatus comprising a primary ironing board component comprising a first surface suitable for ironing fabrics; and secondary ironing board component comprising a second surface suitable for ironing fabrics, wherein the secondary ironing board component is rotatably attached to the primary ironing board component, and wherein the secondary ironing board component lies in a same plane as the primary ironing board component when the secondary ironing board component is in a closed position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An ironing board apparatus comprising:
 a primary ironing board component comprising a first surface suitable for ironing fabrics; and   a secondary ironing board component comprising a second surface suitable for ironing fabrics;   wherein said secondary ironing board component is rotatably attached to said primary ironing board component, and   wherein said secondary ironing board component lies in a different but parallel plane than said primary ironing board component when said secondary ironing board component is in a closed position.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said primary ironing board component comprises an upper surface and a lower surface; said secondary ironing board component comprises an upper surface and a lower surface; and said upper surface of said secondary ironing board component is rotatably attached to said lower surface of said primary ironing board component. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein said secondary ironing board component is configured to accept, when in an open position, a tubular clothing component for ironing. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a tray component comprising an upper surface and a lower surface,
 wherein said upper surface of said tray component is rotatably attached to said lower surface of said primary ironing board component, and   wherein said tray component is configured to be placed underneath said primary ironing board component when said tray component is in a closed position.   
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said upper surface of said tray component comprises heat-resistant silicone. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said upper surface of said tray component is an essentially flat, solid surface. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein said upper surface of said tray component is a solid, non-slip surface. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a cord management component. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , further comprising a cord management component. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as in  claim 9 , wherein said cord management component is mounted to said tray component. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein said cord management component is detachable. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein a length of said secondary ironing board component is approximately one half of a length of said primary ironing board component. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein a length of said secondary ironing board component is at least one third of a length of said primary ironing board component. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus as in  claim 4 , wherein a length of said secondary ironing board component is at least one third of a length of said primary ironing board component. 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus as in  claim 8 , wherein said cord management component comprises a vertical component attached to said apparatus at a first end and attached to a penannular component, suitable for supporting an electrical cord, at a second end. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus as in  claim 9 , wherein said cord management component comprises a vertical component attached to said tray component at a first end and attached to a penannular component, suitable for supporting an electrical cord, at a second end. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a base plate that allows said secondary ironing board component to rotate with respect to said primary ironing board component. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising a leg assembly connected to a lower surface of said primary ironing board component, said leg assembly comprising:
 a first pair of legs, each leg having a foot portion suitable for placing on a floor;   a second pair of legs, each leg having a foot portion suitable for placing on a floor; and   a center pivot assembly,   wherein said first and second pairs of legs pass through said center pivot assembly,   wherein said first pair of legs are parallel to each other between said primary ironing board component and said center pivot assembly, and splay away from each other between said center pivot assembly and said foot portions, and   wherein said second pair of legs are parallel to each other between said primary ironing board component and said center pivot assembly, and splay away from each other between said center pivot assembly and said foot portions.   
     
     
         19 . An ironing board apparatus comprising:
 a primary ironing board component comprising a first surface suitable for ironing fabrics; and   a secondary ironing board component comprising a second surface suitable for ironing fabrics,   wherein said secondary ironing board component is rotatably attached to said primary ironing board component, and   wherein said secondary ironing board component lies in a same plane as said primary ironing board component when said secondary ironing board component is in a closed position.   
     
     
         20 . An apparatus as in  claim 19 , further comprising a base plate that allows said secondary ironing board component to rotate with respect to said primary ironing board component. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus as in  claim 19 , wherein said secondary ironing board component is configured to accept, when in an open position, a tubular clothing component for ironing.