Electrical safety iron

An electric safety iron comprising:

• an iron body and a grip section for the iron;
• a main control switch for controlling a heater circuit of the iron, including a normally open switch that is closed by an operator during use of the iron;
• a tube interconnecting the grip section with the upper side of the iron body, said tube enclosing a hollow core;
• an aperture in the iron body aligned with the hollow core of the tube;
• a movable support rod slidably positioned for extension and retraction at least in part within the hollow core of the tube, said rod having a locking surface disposed thereon, the rod extending through the aperture in the iron body and terminating substantially flush with the bottom of the iron body when in its retracted position within the tube and extending beyond the bottom of the body of the iron in its extended position;
• spring means normally biasing the rod toward its extended position;
• a locking pin associated with the tube and movable between an extended position where it engages the locking surface of the support rod and a retracted position out of engagement with the locking surface of the rod, said rod being locked against extension when said pin engages said locking surface;
• electrical control means for controlling movement of the locking pin between said extended and retracted positions, including a time delay circuit for causing retraction of the pin away from the support rod locking surface when the main control switch is left open for a predetermined time period while the iron is supplied with electrical energy;
• and
• means for limiting the maximum degree of extension of the rod out of the tube relative to the body of the iron.