Stabilized ironing table

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for stabilizing an ironing table, comprising a weight and a hollow base member that holds the weight. The base member connects to the legs of an ironing table and extends outwardly from the legs. The weight in the base member adds mass to the lower portion of the ironing table, increasing the table's resistance to tipping or wobbling. In one aspect of the invention, the weight may be removed from the base member to decrease the overall weight of the ironing table when the table is being transported.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An ironing table, comprising: 
 a substantially horizontal ironing board configured to provide an ironing surface;    a base member configured to engage a work surface to support the table;    an elongated vertical support pivotably connected with the ironing surface extending between the ironing surface and the base member;    wherein the vertical support has a density and the base member has a density that is greater than the density of the vertical support.    
     
     
         2 . The ironing table of  claim 1  wherein the vertical support has a lateral width and the base member extends laterally across a width greater than the lateral width of the vertical support.  
     
     
         3 . The ironing table of  claim 1  wherein the base member comprises a cavity and the weight, wherein the weight increases the density of the base so that the base member density is greater than the vertical support density.  
     
     
         4 . The ironing table of  claim 3  wherein the weight has a density that is substantially greater than the density of the vertical support.  
     
     
         5 . The ironing table of  claim 3  comprising a cover enclosing the weight within the cavity.  
     
     
         6 . The ironing table of  claim 5  wherein the cover is substantially permanently attached to the base member to substantially permanently enclose the weight within the cavity.  
     
     
         7 . The ironing table of  claim 3  wherein the mass of the weight is greater than the mass of the base member.  
     
     
         8 . The ironing table of  claim 3  wherein the weight is balanced across a vertical plane extending through the ironing board.  
     
     
         9 . A method for forming an ironing table, comprising the steps of: 
 forming an ironing board configured to provide an ironing surface;    providing a pair of vertical legs having first and second ends;    pivotably attaching the first ends of the legs to the ironing board;    forming base member's or the second ends of the legs, such that the base members each have an internal cavity having a configuration;    providing a weight; and    inserting the weight into one of the base members.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of forming the base members comprises the steps of forming the base members as separate elements and attaching the base members to the legs.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of forming the base members comprises the step of bending the second end of the legs such that each base member and corresponding leg is integrally formed as a single piece.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the step of configuring the weight to cooperate with the configuration of the internal cavity of one of the base members.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the step of providing a second weight and inserting the second weight into a second one of the base members.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of providing a weight comprises the step of selecting the weight such that the mass of the weight is greater than the mass of the base member.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the step of capturing the weight in the base member to impede removal of the weight.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the step of substantially permanently enclosing the weight within the base member.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of inserting the weight comprises inserting the weight such that the mass of the weight is balanced across a vertical plane passing through the center of the ironing board.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of providing a weight comprises the step of selecting the weight such that the mass of the weight is greater than the mass of one of the legs.