AU690399B2 - Improved portable clothes drier/airer - Google Patents

Description

44385 HKS:PFB P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

0*000: Name of Applicant: S"PATRICIA ALIDA ROBERTS to.

Actual Inventors: PATRICIA ALIDA ROBERTS, JOHN WILLIAM DUFFIELD ROBERTS, STEPHEN GODFREY AND MICHAEL LEONARD MARLEY Address for Service: a COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: IMPROVED PORTABLE CLOTHES DRIER/AIRER Details of Associated Provisional Applications: AUSTRALIAN Patent Application No. PN0703 Dated 23rd January 1995 AUSTRALIAN Patent Application No. PN6673 Dated 20th November 1995 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: a sr dLs This invention relates to a portable clothes drier/airer.

It is well known to have portable clothes drier/airers which can be stored in a folded condition and which when erected can provide substantial and stable support either inside or outside a house for clothes or other articles.

The problem to which this invention is directed relates to the specific design of a portable clothes drier/airer which can be manufactured for sale and which can be economically manufactured in relatively small numbers, which can be sold economically in a competitive market place against equivalent items providing a similar function, and at the same time can provide a portable 1 0 clothes drier/airer which when erected will have substantial load bearing capacity for drying clothes and equivalent items, which will be relatively stable even in outside situations where the portable clothes drier/airer can be subjected to wind or at the least offers the public a useful alternative.

In one form therefore although this need not necessarily be the only or indeed 1 5 the broadest form of this invention, there is proposed a portable clothes drier/airer comprising an elongate element extending from a first end to a second end, first and second cross bars attached at first and second ends respectively of the elongate element and each cross bar extending transversely to the elongate direction to the elongate element, a clothes line 2 0 extending between the respective crossbars, a pair of legs at each of the first I. and second end of the elongate element, each pair of legs being attached at an upper end to the elongate element by a pivot connection allowing for rotation of the respective pair of legs jointly about an axis transverse to the oo elongate direction of the elongate direction of the elongate element, a cross 2 5 link having one end attached to one leg of a pair of the respective pairs of legs and the other end to the other leg of the respective pair of legs, and a locking strut assembly extending from the cross link to the elongate element whereby in one position the locking strut will lock the respective pair of legs in an extended and supporting position and in an unlocked position allow the pair 3 0 of legs to rotate about the pivot support to a folded position.

In preference, each of the cross bars is attached to the elongate element at a location midway between the ends of the cross bar.

In preference, each cross bar is a tube to which there is attached two downwardly extending legs adapted to straddle the appropriate end of the elongate element and there are apertures extending mutually aligned through the legs and the elongate element engaging the upper end of the respective pair of legs at that end.

In preference, the cross link extending between each of the legs of a pair legs is in the form of a bar having attached thereto a transversely extending flange to which a lower end of one of the locking struts is pivotally attached to allow for rotation about an axis substantially transverse to the elongate direction of 1 0 the elongate element.

In preference then the cross link is a solid element which is attached to each of the legs by an appropriate bolt passing mutually through a cross link and an aperture through the leg which is tightened by a nut.

Each pair of legs is positioned and arranged so that when the clothes S• 1 5 drier/airer is in an erect position, the bottom of a leg is substantially below an outer end of the respective cross bar.

In preference, the locking struts are secured by a pivotal connection at an upper end by a bolt passing mutually through the elongate element and the upper outer end of the locking struts the position being such that the pivot 20 point is substantially displaced from the pivot connection supporting the upper end of the legs.

In preference, the elongate element is comprised of a square cross section tube.

.cor0 In preference, each cross bar is comprised of tube with a plurality of apertures 2 5 passing transversely through the tube at spaced apart intervals and the clothes drier/airer is threaded through these so as to provide a plurality of parallel clothes drier/airers supported in mutual alignment by the respective cross bars.

A feature of the arrangement described is that firstly the elements forming the 3 0 clothes drier/airer assembly are all adapted to be able to be disassembled into parts which can be of elongate form so that they can be packed closely together for transport purposes.

According to a further preferred improvement, there is proposed that each pair of legs extend past their pivot connection to a position above the elongate element and such that the extended part of each leg is adapted to engage and to limit the further outward positioning of the legs by reason of engagement against the respective cross bar. Further according to a preferred feature, the locking strut is secured in a locking position by having an inter engaging connection with the element to which it interlocks.

In preference in one case this can be the lower end of the locking strut to a 1 0 cross link which extends between each of the legs of a pair of legs.

In preference, such cross link includes a leg around which a matching slot from the locking strut engages with an interlocking fit.

The invention can apply therefore to a set of parts which can be assembled in the manner described.

1 5 For a better understanding of this invention it will now be described with the assistance of drawings and in relation to a preferred embodiments in which in 0-°o.

the drawings: ooee FIG 1 is a perspective view of a portable clothes drier/airer according to the embodiment shown in the erected position, o oei 20 FIG 2 is an end view, of the embodiment as shown in FIG 1, FIG 3 is a side elevation of the view as shown in FIG 1, FIG 4 is a view of the same embodiment in FIG 1 when the portable clothes drier/airer has been folded and this is a view from underneath the clothes drier/airer, FIG 5 is a side view of the clothes drier/airer as in FIG 1 but again when in the folded position, FIG 6 is an underneath view of the view as in FIG 1, I, r FIG 7 is an enlarged view of a detail as shown in FIG 1, FIG 8 likewise is a perspective view of a detail again as shown in FIG 1, FIG 9 is an enlarged view of a detail specifically of the arrangement of the locking struts as shown in FIG 1, FIG 10 is a perspective view of the end of the clothes drier/airer according to a second embodiment, FIG 11 is a perspective view of the second embodiment showing the locking strut in a close to but only approaching position with respect to a cross link, and 1 0 FIG 12 is a perspective view substantially the same as FIG 10 but in respect of a third embodiment.

.oeooi S: Now referring to the drawings in detail, there is shQwn and described a portable clothes drier/airer 1 which is comprised of an elongate element 2 which is a steel tube of square cross sectional shape and is substantially of 1 5 constant size and shape throughout its length.

At each end of the elongate element 2 there is a cross bar 3 in the case of the ••so first end, and cross bar 4 in the case of the cross bar at the second end.

Each cross bar is comprised of circular tube and it has a plurality of apertures punched therethrough so that the alignment of the apertures is substantially horizontal from one side entry to the other side exit and in respect of both S. cross bars 3 and 4, the location of the apertures corresponds one to the other so that a line 6 can be threaded mutually through the respective cross bars 3 and 4 to form as is shown 10 runs from which clothes can be supported.

The advantage of punching the apertures through the tube forming the cross bars 3 and 4 is that this causes the sides of the holes to be depressed so that there will be less possibility for the line 6 to be captured on a sharp edge and be caused to fray or be otherwise cut.

Each cross bar includes downwardly extending legs which are welded to the respective cross bar at 7. The legs are formed as a part of a cradle shown at 8 which neatly fits over with a matching fit so that the respective cross bar will be held relatively rigid by the attachment of the bracket 8 to the elongate element 2. This is best shown in FIG 7 and it is to be noted that it is an identical arrangement at the other end for cross bar 4 being attached to the elongate element 2.

Mutually aligned holes are drilled through the respective legs of bracket 8 and from side wall to side wall of the square crossed section tube of elongate element 2 and as well, the upper ends 9 and 10 of legs 11 and 12 are also 1 0 attached by bolt passing through the respective apertures both at the upper end of the legs 11 and 12 and such that the legs 11 and 12 can be pivoted thereby about the axis established by the bolt 13 which passes fully through the respective parts and has a nut at the other end.

Again this arrangement is repeated at the other end of the elongate element 2 1 5 in an identical fashion.

ooee 4 The square crossed section tube is capped by a plastic cap 14 in the one case and 15 in the other.

With respect to the legs 11 and 12, these are each formed from hollow round tubing and an upper end is punched flat and slightly turned so as to provide a flat part through which the aperture is drilled for location of the bolt 13 therethrough.

044oo4 The description will now be given in relation to the same set of legs 11 and 12, the cross link and locking struts also associated with the legs at this end but it is to be understood that it is the same arrangement at the other end and the 2 5 same features are identically duplicated in fiend.

Each of the legs 11 and 12 then are located so as to spread from the upper apex position at which the pair of legs are held for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the elongate direction of the elongate element 2 to be spread apart a distance which corresponds with the length of the cross bar in 3 0 this case cross bar 3.

The legs are held in this position both by reason of their pivotal connection uppermost but also by reason of the cross link 15 which is a metal bar which extends from an end 16 to an end 17 where in each case it is caused to have an aperture through its end aligned with an aperture through the tube of the respective leg and this is then located by a bolt and nut shown at 18 and 19 in the typical case.

At an approximately middle location there is an inwardly extending flange which is welded at 21 to the cross link 15 and this provides a pivotal engaging point for the end of the locking struts 24 by means of a bolt 25 and nut which is not shown on the other side.

1 0 The locking struts 24 comprise two members including an upper strut element 26 and a lower strut element 27 which are pivotally connected by rivet connection 28 and which are arranged to be held in the aligned position which is all of the positions except of those shown in FIGS 4 and 5 where sleeve 29 engages mutually the upper locking strut element 26 and the lower 1 5 locking strut element 27.

The respective elements 27 and 26 are stopped from passing through a substantially over centre position by reason of tongue 30 being adapted to engage against the floor of slot 31.

An upper end of the upper locking strut element 26 is attached by a bolt passing through an aperture in the element 26 through the side walls of the elongate element 2.

**get: A feature of the arrangement described is its essential simplicity in that it can be transported as a kit of parts in which all of the parts are substantially elongated and therefore can be laid in a side by side relationship and can therefore be very economically positioned inside a pack.

It is intended that the article will be sold as a pack of parts and it is therefore of advantage that each of the elements is attached substantially in all cases except the connections of the locking strut elements 26 and 27 by a bolt passing through apertures and then captured by a nut.

3 0 As will be seen, from the method of construction given that the upper and lower locking strut elements will already be assembled and held together by 8 member 28, all of the remaining elements can be first of all easily recognised by a person assembling the unit and the method for the construction will be relatively obvious and straightforward.

Furthermore, the design has great advantage in so far that it is very economical with materials required requiring only one medial leg position elongate element 2 and by use of the construction this provides quite sufficient stability for the quite heavy potential weight of wet clothes on each of the lines.

Once assembled, it will now also be seen that by lifting the sleeve in the respective cases such as at 29 of the locking struts this will allow the locking 1 0 struts to fold and allow the pair of legs to fold up into a relatively tightly folded condition one against the other so that the assembled but folded form of the portable clothes drier/airer is also very compact and suitable to be stored behind a conventional kitchen door or the like.

The tubes forming the various parts are in this case chosen from steel but in 1 5 another alternative arrangement can be chosen from aluminium.

The position of the locking struts shown typically at 24 is such that the pair of legs 11 and 12 are at right angles as far as their direction of elongation is concerned to the direction of elongation of elongate element 2. This provides S•for the most efficient support arrangement for a maximum length of line.

It is possible to orientate the legs in the erected position so that they lay outwardly at each end but the problem with this is that it then takes up a co. greater floor area particularly for inside applications and provides no additional stability for clothes supported on the line.

Referring in detail to the drawings in Figures 10, 11 and 12 showing the 25 second embodiment there are accordingly at each end of the clothes drier/airer, legs as shown in 31 and 32 which are joined to the elongate member 33 by a bolt 34 passing fully through an upper end of the legs 31 and 32 and through the end of the square tube comprising the elongate member 33.

3 0 An upper end of each of the legs 31 and 32 shown at 35 and 36 which are capped for sake of appearance and provide a soft cushioning effect, are positioned so that when the legs are fully extended as will be appropriate to provide a supporting position for the clothes airer/drier, the ends 35 and 36 will abut against the outer edge 37 of the cross member 38.

The cross member 38 is welded as shown at 9 to the elongate member 33 and is therefore well able to sustain abutting pressure from the ends 35 and 36 which therefore provides additional stabilisation of the position of the legs 31 and 32.

Further, it is found that this also provides a more economic approach to securing the legs to the elongate member 33.

1 0 According to the further feature as shown in FIG 12, the locking strut 40 is secured at its upper end in a way that is not shown but which allows for pivotal freedom around a horizontal axis or in approximately horizontal axis depending upon the position of the elongate member 33 so that the locking strut 10 can be located in either a folded position or it can be located as 1 5 shown in the figure to approach a means by engaging with its slot 41 over the button shaped leg 42.

The button shaped leg 42 is secured by riveted bracket 43 to the cross link 44 which in turn is secured by a bolt 45 in the one case and 46 in the other to the *0*oo •respective legs 31 and 32.

In an alternative arrangement, the upper end of the locking strut 40 is permanently pivoted at the lower end and is interlockable with a similar button shaped leg secured to the elongate member.

oeo• Now referring to FIG 12, the cross member 8 is affixed to the elongate member 33 by two bolts 47 and 48 which pass fully through the cross member 38 and extend below the elongate member 33 where the bolt is captured by a washer and head 50 which by being tightened against the bottom of the elongate member 33 clamp the cross member 38 thereto.

This arrangement replaces the weld and has the advantage that if the clothes drier/airer is to be provided as a do it yourself assembly, then a person can 3 0 assemble the unit including affixing the cross member 38 to the elongate member 33.

I It also means that the packaging can be much smaller to accommodate thus only essential elongate pieces.

These improvements are then to be considered in conjunction with the previously described features as additional and alternate features.

9 *eo• e I _e

Claims (13)

1. A portabla clothes drier/airer comprisinoj an elongate element extending from a first end to a second end, first and second cross bars attached at first and second ends respectively of the elongate element and each cross bar extending transversely to the elongate direction to the elongate element, a clothes line extending between the respective crossbars, a pair of legs at each of the first and second end of the elongate element, each pair ol ings being attached at an upper enm the elongate element by a pivot connection allowing for rotation of the respective pair of legs jointly about an 1 0 axis transverse to the elongate direction of the elongate direction of the elongate element, a cross link having one end attached to one of legs of the respective pairs of legs and the other end to the otiler leg of the respective pair of legs, and a locking strut assembly extending from the cross link to the elongate element whereby in one position the locking strut will lock the 1 5 respective pair of legs in an extended and supporting position and in an unlocked position allow the pair of legs to rotate about the pivot support to a folded position.

2. A portable clothes drier/airer as in the immediately preceding claim further characterlsed in that each of the cross bars is attached to the elongate 20 element at a location midway between the ends of the cross bar.

3. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that each cross bar is a tube to which there is attached two downwardly extending legs adapted to straddle the appropriate end of the elongate element and there are apertures extending mutually aligned through the legs and the elongate element engaging the upper end of the respective pair of legs at that end.

4. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the cross link extending between each of the legs of a pair legs is in the form of a bar having attached thereto a transversely extending flange to which a lower end of one of the locking struts is pivotally attached to allow for rotation about an axis substantially transverse to the elongate direction of the elongate element. "s A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the cross link is a solid element which is attached to each of the legs by an appropriate bolt passing mutually through a cross link and an aperture through the leg which is tightened by a nut.

6. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that each pair of legs is positioned and arranged so that when the clothes drier/airer is in an erect position, the bottom of a leg is substantially below an outer end of the respective cross bar.

7. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims 1 0 further characterised in that the locking struts are secured by a pivotal connection at an upper end by a bolt passing mutually through the elongate element and the upper outer end of the locking struts the position being such that the pivot point is substantially displaced from the pivot connection supporting the upper end of the leg, 1 5 8. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the elongate element is comprised of a square cross section tube.

9. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims •further characterised in that each cross bar is comprised of tube with a plurality of apertures passing transversely through the tube at spaced apart intervals and the clothes drier/airer is threaded through these so as to provide a plurality of parallel clothes drier/airers supported in mutual alignment by the respective cross bars. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the elements forming the clothes drier/airer assembly are all adapted to be able to be disassembled into parts which can .oo..i be of elongate form so that they can be packed closely together for transport purposes.

11. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims 3 0 further characterised in that each pair of legs extend past their pivot connection to a position above the elongate element and such that the extended part of each leg is adapted to engage and to have a limit to further outward positioning of the legs by reason of engag jnt against the respective cross bar.

12. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the locking strut is secured in a locking position by having an inter engaging connection with the element to which it interlocks.

13. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims further characterised in that the lower end of the locking strut to a cross link which extends between each of the legs of a pair of legs.

14. A portable clothes drier/airer as in any one of the preceding claims 1 0 further characterised in that the said cross link includes a leg around which a matching slot from the locking strut engages with an interlocking fit. A portable clothes drier/airer substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by Figures 1 through 9 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A portable clothes drier/airer substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A portable clothes drier/airer substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 12 of the accompanying drawings. Dated this 19th day of January 1996 PATRICIA ALIDA ROBERTS By her Patent Attorneys, COLLISON CO. "7h .:Ir I. 411 1 II---~CI ABSTRACT A portable clothes drier/airer with an elongate element and cross bars attached at ends of the elongate element clothes line extending between the crossbars, legs at each end of the elongate element, each of the legs being attached at an upper end to the elongate element by a pivot connection allowing for folding of the legs for compact storage cross links between each of the pairs of legs and a locking strut assembly extending from the cross link to the elongate element whereby in one position the locking strut will lock the respective pair of legs in an extended and supporting position and in an 1 0 unlocked position allow the pair of legs to rotate about the pivot support to a folded position. In a preferred embodiment each cross bar is a tube to which there is attached two downwardly extending legs adapted to straddle the appropriate end of the elongate element and there are apertures extending mutually through the legs and the elongate element engaging the upper end 1 5 of the respective pair of legs at that end. S oo 0 S *i 0 0 **ft0 ~ps 1L