AU2011253802B2

AU2011253802B2 - A line securement fitting

Info

Publication number: AU2011253802B2
Application number: AU2011253802A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Benjamin Hill; Timothy Hooper
Original assignee: Ames Australasia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ames Australasia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-02
Filing date: 2011-12-02
Publication date: 2016-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2031-12-02
Also published as: AU2011253802A1

Abstract

This invention relates to a line securement fitting for securing a line relative to a support, the fitting being adapted for securement to the support, and comprising line securement means adapted for use 5 both as a line termination point, and where the line is not terminated at the fitting, but continues on from the line securement fitting. An associated clothesline assembly and method for securing line to the same are also disclosed. CN) Ciz

Description

TITLE

A LINE SECUREMENT FITTING FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a line securement fitting for a clothesline, and a clothesline comprising the same.

PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No 2010905314, titled “A LINE TIE OFF FITTING”, and filed on 2 December 2010.

The entire content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

While the main application for the line securement fitting of the present invention is in relation to a line secured with respect to a clothesline frame, there will be numerous other applications for which the invention will be equally suited, and therefore the invention need not be restricted to this specific application.

The line used on these clotheslines is typically a plastic coated multi-strand cord. The application of loads to the line can, over time, cause the line to sag. Sagging can be rectified by retensioning the line.

The applicant has previously developed the line tie off fitting described in Australian Patent Application No 2007229434, which secures the line to a support and enables the line to be released from the fitting, retensioned, and refitted to the fitting.

It will be apparent, however, that the aforementioned line tie off fitting is only of use as a line termination point. It is an object of the invention therefore to provide a line securement fitting that ameliorates this stated difficulty or which, at the least, provides a line tie off fitting which is a useful alternative to known tie off fittings.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a line securement fitting for securing a line relative to a support, the fitting being adapted for securement to the support, and comprising line securement means such that the fitting is adapted for use both as a line termination point, and where the line is not terminated at the fitting, but continues on from the line securement fitting.

In one form, the fitting comprises at least first and second portions, at least one of which is adapted to provide securement of the fitting to a surface of the support, and at least one of which comprises the line securement means.

In one form, the fitting comprises a pair of side portions separated by a cross-piece portion extending between the pair of side portions.

In one form, the or each side portion comprises line securement means.

In one form, the or each line securement means is adapted to retain a portion of line at or near an outer side face of the side portion.

In one form, the or each line securement means comprises a tortuous path through which the retained line portion is extended.

In one form, there is an aligned aperture in each of the side portions and the support so that the line may be passed from one line securement means, through the support, and to the other line securement means of the line securement fitting.

In one form, the line securement fitting is adapted to engage the support.

In one form, the or each side portion comprises means adapted to engage the aperture in the support.

In one form, the support is a clothesline arm.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a line securement fitting for securing a line relative to a support, the fitting comprising a pair of side portions separated by a cross-piece which extends between the side portions so that the fitting is adapted to fit over the top of and straddle the support, each side portion comprising line securement means so that the fitting is adapted for use both as a line termination point, and where the line is not terminated at the fitting, but continues on from the line securement fitting.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a clothesline assembly comprising a line securement fitting as in any one of the preceding claims to a line securement fitting, a support, and a length of line, wherein the line securement fitting is secured to the support, and the line is secured to the line securement fitting.

In one form, the line is secured to a line securement means of the line securement fitting so as to terminate at the fitting.

In one form, the line is secured to a first securement means of the line securement fitting, passed to a second securement means, and then continues on from the line securement fitting.

In one form, a first line is secured to a first securement means of the line securement fitting, and a second line is secured to a second line securement means.

In one form, the support is an elongate element of rectilinear cross-section, and the line securement fitting comprises a pair of side portions separated by a cross-piece which extends between the side portions at or toward the upper edges thereof so as to form a saddle which fits over the top of and straddle the support.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a method of securing a line relative to a clothesline assembly as in any one of the preceding claims to a clothesline assembly, the method comprising the steps of securing an incoming length of line to a line securement means.

In one form, the method comprises the further step of passing the line from the first line securement means to a second line securement means and securing it thereto.

In one form, the method comprises the further step of directing the line away from the second securement means so that the line continues on from the line securement fitting.

In one form, the method comprises the further step of securing a second incoming length of line to a second line securement means.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a line securement fitting for securing a line relative to a support, the fitting comprising at least first and second portions for securement to respective first and second surfaces of the support, where at least one of the first or second portions of the fitting is adapted to retain at least a portion of at least one line.

In one form, the fitting comprises a third portion, so that the fitting comprises a pair of portions separated by a cross-piece portion extending between the pair.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a line securement fitting for securing the line relative to a support, the fitting comprising a pair of side portions separated by a cross-piece extending between the side portions, the fitting being adapted to retain at least a portion of at least one line via either of one or both side portions.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a line securement fitting adapted to straddle a support therefore, the fitting comprising a pair of side portions adapted to retain at least a portion of at least one line on either of one or both sides of the support.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a line securement fitting adapted to engage a support, the fitting comprising a portion adapted to retain at least a portion of at least one.

In a further aspect, there is a clothesline arm assembly comprising a clothesline arm, a line securement fitting and a length of line received by a portion of the fitting on one side of the arm, the line being passed through the arm and received by a portion of the fitting on the other side of the arm before being passed from the fitting to a further clothesline arm assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of this disclosure it will now be described with respect to an exemplary embodiment which shall be described herein with the assistance of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is perspective view of a clothesline arm assembly comprising line securement fittings securing line to the clothesline arm;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the clothesline arm assembly in Figure I;

Figure 3 is an end view of the clothesline arm assembly in Figure I;

Figure 4 is a top view of the clothesline arm assembly in Figure I;

Figure 5 is a side view of the clothesline arm assembly in Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a detailed side view of a fitting from the clothesline arm assembly of Figure I.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Rotary clothesline assemblies typically comprise a support post and four radiating clothesline arms. The clothesline arms are pivotally secured with respect to the support post and there are four support arms that each correspond to a clothesline arm that are pivotally connected at a first end to the clothesline arm and at a second end to the upper end of the support post respectively. The support arms support the clothesline arms when they are in their extended position.

In this exemplary embodiment, each of the clothesline arms 10 is a length of rectangular hollow section steel. A series ofequi-spaced apertures 12 are formed (such as by drilling, punching etc.) through each of the sides 10a and 10b of arms 10, at locations which are spaced apart lengthwise along the arm 10. A length of line 15 is secured to the clothesline arm 10 with a line securement fitting I, which comprises a pair of side portions 20 separated by a cross-piece 22 which extends between the side portions 20 at upper edges thereof so as to form a saddle like fitting that is adapted to fit over the top of and straddle the clothesline arm 10. The gap between the side portions 20 of the fitting 1 is sized so as to accept the clothesline arm 10 with a snug fit between the side portions 20. A pair of aligned apertures 24 (ie which are aligned with each other) pass through the side portions 20 of the fitting I, there being one in each side portion 20.

From an inside surface of each side portion 20 there extends a circular insert lug 26, each of which is sized so as to locate in one of the aligned apertures 12 in the sides 10a and 10b of the clothesline arm 10. Each insert lug 26 is undercut in a lower edge thereof with a slot 28 sized to receive a portion of a side wall 10a or 10b of the clothesline arm 10.

When securing a fitting I to the clothesline arm 10, the fitting I will be positioned over the arm 10 at a point where there are apertures 12 in the arm, and pushed downwardly over the arm 10 until each of the circular insert lugs 26 locates in an aperture 12 in one of the sidewalls 10a and 10b of the clothesline arm 10. Pushing the fitting I down further will locate a portion of each of the arm’s sidewalls 10a and 10b in the undercut slot 28 and bring the apertures 24 through the side portions 20 of the fitting I into alignment with the apertures 12 in the sidewalls 10a and 10b of the clothesline arm 10.

There is an aperture 30 in the cross-piece 22 via which the fitting 1 can be secured to the clothesline arm 10 using a fastener 32 such as a rivet or the like, where a rivet can be accepted in hole 14 for this.

From the outersides of the fitting I, side portions 20 there extend line sccurement means defining a tortuous path for the line 15, which is at or near the surface of these side portions 20. The line securement means comprise a portion through which the line must be threaded (the through portion 40) and a portion about which the line must be wound 50.

The through portion 40 defines a passage way 42 extending part way across the side portion 20.

The portion about which the line 15 must be wound 50 comprises an outwardly extending lip 52 beneath which the line 15 is located and pinched, to aid retention. A rib 54 extends from an underside of the lip 52 to further aid in the retention of line 15 beneath the lip 52.

When securing a line 15 to the clothesline arm via the fitting 1, the incoming line 15 will be directed to one side portion 20 of the line securement fitting 1, making this the line receiving side of the fitting I. The line 15 is then threaded through the through portion 40 on the line 15 receiving side of the fitting I and then around the portion 50 about which the line 15 must be wound.

How the line 15 is directed next depends on how the fitting 1 is to be utilised. In the case of the embodiment illustrated, the line 15 is passed through the hole 24 in the receiving side portion 20, through the clothesline arm 10, and then through the hole 24 in the second side portion 20 this, as a result, being the outgoing side of the fitting I. After reaching the outside of the outgoing side portion 20, the line is threaded around the portion 50 about which the line 15 must be wound, then through the through portion 40 and then it is directed onto the fitting I at the next clothesline arm 10. However, the fitting 1 can be used as a termination point for the line 15, in which case the line is secured by only one (the incoming) side portion 20 of the fitting I. In this instance, the line 15 is not passed through the hole 24 in the receiving side portion 20, but captured beneath the outwardly extending lip 52 on this receiving side portion 20 and trimmed to length. A dress cover 60 can be snap fitted to the side portions 20 so as to conceal the line retaining portions of the fitting 1.

When tensioning is required, the dress cover(s) 60 is/are removed, and the line 15 is released from the portion(s) 50 about which it is wound.

Where the line passes through the fitting 1 and clothesline arm 10, the line 15 is then tensioned by pulling on the outgoing portion of the line 15, the line 15 on the receiving side is then rewound about portion 50 on the receiving side, and then the line on the outgoing side is then rewound about portion 50 on the outgoing side.

Where the line 15 is secured by only one side portion 20 of the fitting 1 (ie the fitting I is a termination point for the line 15), the line 15 is tensioned by pulling on the free end of this, and then it is again wound around the portion 50, captured beneath the outwardly extending lip 52 and trimmed to length.

The or each dress cover 60 can then be fitted once again.

An advantage of the tie off fitting I, according to the present invention is that it facilitates installation and tensioning of one continuous length of line 15 (ie it can retain line passing therethrough), as opposed to numerous discreet lengths of line, although it can also serve as a termination point for one or two lengths of line.

In a further embodiment, the line fitting is the same as described above, but differs in as much as it only comprises one side portion 20. Such a fitting would still secure a line 15 to a support in a re-tensionable fashion.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications in its scope.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A line securement fitting for securing a line relative to a support, the fitting comprising a pair of side portions separated by a cross-piece portion extending therebetween, the pair of side portions adapted for securing the fitting to the support, and further comprising at least one line securement means for securing the fitting to the line, such that the fitting is adapted for use both as a line termination point, and where the line is not terminated at the fitting, but continues on from the line securement fitting.
2. The line securement fitting according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the side portions further comprises the at least one line securement means.
3. The line securement fitting according to claim 2, wherein the side portions and the cross-piece portion are further adapted to fit over and straddle the support, and the fitting further comprises a pair of the line securement means, each of the side portions further comprising one of the line securement means.
4. The line securement fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the line securement means is adapted to retain a portion of line proximal to an outer side face of the respective side portion.
5. The line securement fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the line securement means defines a tortuous path for receiving and retaining the line therein.
6. The line securement fitting according to claim 3, wherein each of the side portions has an aperture extending therethrough and aligned with the other aperture, thereby allowing the line to pass from one line securement means, between the side portions, and to the other line securement means.
7. The line fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side portions are adapted to engage the support.
8. The line securement fitting as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support is a clothesline arm.
9. A clothesline assembly comprising the line securement fitting according to any one of the preceding claims, a support, and a length of line, wherein the line securement fitting is secured to the support, and the line is secured to the line securement fitting.
10. The clothesline assembly of claim 9, wherein the line is secured to the line securement means so as to terminate at the line securement fitting.
11. The clothesline assembly of claim 9, wherein the line is secured to the line securement means and then continues on from the line securement fitting.
12. A clothesline assembly comprising the line securement fitting according to claim 3, a support, and a length of line, wherein the line securement fitting is secured to the support, and the line is secured to the line securement fitting.
13. The clothesline assembly of claim 12, wherein the line is secured to one of the line securement means, passed between the side portions, and secured to the other line securement means, and then continues on from the line securement fitting.
14. The clothesline assembly of claim 12, wherein a first line is secured to one of the line securement means, and a second line is secured to the other line securement means.
15. A method of securing a line relative to a clothesline assembly according to any one of claims 9 to 14, the method comprising the step of securing a length of line to the line securement means.
16. A method of securing a line relative to a clothesline assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 14, the method comprising the steps of securing a length of line to one of the line securement means, , passing the line from to the other line securement means, and securing the line thereto.
17. The method of claim 16, comprising the further step of directing the line away from the other securement means so that the line continues on from the line securement fitting.
18. The method of claim 16, comprising the further step of securing a second length of line to one of the line securement means.