AU779130B2

AU779130B2 - Rotary hoist holder

Info

Publication number: AU779130B2
Application number: AU53947/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Hermanus Hendrik Vriesma
Original assignee: HERMANUS HENDRIK VRIESEMA
Current assignee: Vriesema Hermanus Hendrik
Priority date: 2000-06-23
Filing date: 2001-06-20
Publication date: 2005-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-20
Also published as: AU5394701A

Description

LI

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Rotary hoist holder The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: Freehills Carter Smith BeadleMELC601170017.4 004566008 The present invention relates to a holding device for rotary clothes hoists for conveniently and temporarily preventing rotation of the hoist during, for example, strong winds and/or when hanging clothes on the lines of the hoist. The invention has particular utility when used with the well known "Hills Hoist" (trade mark) but could be used, or adapted for use, with any other similar type of clothes hoists.

In times of high winds it can be difficult to hang clothes on a rotary type clothes hoist particularly as the number of hung clothes increases and the wind causes the hoist to rotate. A similar situation arises when removing the clothes after drying.

Furthermore, in times of high winds the hoist can be caused to rotate rather erratically and at high speed causing the clothes to become entangled and also placing high stress loads on the hoist itself and the lines of hoist.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a holding device capable of releasably securing the rotatable portion of the clothes hoist against rotation.

.Thus the invention provides a holding device for a rotary clothes line for preventing rotation of a rotary portion of said clothes line, said device comprising a first member mounted on a fixed post of said rotary clothes line, a second member in the form of a biased telescopic holding member mounted on said fixed member and movable relative thereto between a retracted and an extended position, said holding S"member having means for engaging said rotary portion to prevent rotation thereof when said holding member is in said extended position and releasing said rotary portion when said holding member is in said retracted position.

Preferably said holding member engages a radial arm of said rotary portion to prevent rotation thereof.

Preferably said holding member is biased to said extended position and is forcibly retractable to said retracted position.

Preferably said first member is a tubular member and said holding member slides within said tubular member, said holding member having a generally U-shaped PES:AM:40495199:COMPLETE 3 November 2004 distal end for engaging and retaining said radial arm therein.

Preferably the holding member is spring biased to said extended position and handle is fixed to said holding member to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof to provide a gripping means for sliding said holding member within said tubular member against the force of said spring, to said retracted position.

Preferably said tubular member is mounted on said fixed post of said rotary clothes line by two or more C-shaped clamps which facilitate adjustment of the position of the device on the rotary clothes lines.

Preferably said rotary clothes line is a rotary hoist whereby said holding device may be disengaged from said radial arm either by raising the height of said rotary portion of the clothes line and/or retracting said holding member.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood one particular embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE 1 is a perspective side elevation of a holding device according to the invention, shown in the fully assembled condition; FIGURE 2 is a perspective side view of the two main components and the internal spring, and FIGURE 3 shows the device mounted on a rotary clothes hoist.

The holding device generally referenced 10 consists essentially of a fixed tubular member 11 of rectangular cross-section and a movable holding member 12 again of rectangular cross-section. The holding member 12 slides within the tubular member 11. The tubular member 11 has a pair of spaced C-clamps 13 attached thereto by respective horizontal rods 14 which are welded to the tubular member 11 at one end and to the C-clamp at the opposite end. The C-clamps 13 facilitate attachment of the tubular member 11 to the fixed post 15 of a rotary clothes hoist generally referenced PES:AM:40495199:COMPLETE 18 June 2001 16. The holding arrangement is facilitated by bolts 17 having wing nuts 18 (Figure 3) which enable the vertical position of the tubular member 11 to be adjusted on the fixed post The tubular member 11 is semi-closed at its lower end by means of a washer and a spring 19 is located within the tubular member adjacent the bottom end thereof.

The holding member 12 is slidably arranged within the tubular member 11 and the bottom end of the holding member bears on the spring. The holding member 12 is a solid rod (although it may be tubular) and has at its distal or upper end a U-shaped construction for engaging with a radial arm 20 of the rotary clothes hoist 16.

The holding device may be arranged on the fixed post 15 at a suitable position such that when engaged with a radial arm 20, the height of the lines 21 is most convenient to the user. It is important that when the U-shaped distal end of the holding member 12 is engaged around a radial arm 20 that force is applied by the spring 19 to force the holding member 12 against the radial arm 20. A horizontal bar or rod 22 is welded to the side of the holding member 12 to extend horizontally or normal to the .oo.

longitudinal axis of the holding member 12 to enable disengagement of the holding member from the radial arm. In other words, a user merely takes hold of the bar or handle 22 and pulls downwardly against the force of spring 19 in order to release the device from the radial arm 20. Alternatively, the handle (not shown) of the rotary hoist may be wound in a direction to raise the upper or rotary portion of the clothes hoist away from the top of the holding device As is evident from the above description and the drawings, the components of the holding device 10 are formed from metal and where necessary are welded to fabricate the various components.

In order to use the device of this invention once it has been clamped to the fixed post 15 of a rotary clothes hoist, it is merely necessary for the user to wind the handle (not shown) of the hoist until the rotary section of the hoist is in a vertical position whereby the radial members are slightly lower than the upper end of the holding member 12. The bar or rod 22 is then pulled downwardly and a radial arm 20 is PES:AM:40495199:COMPLETE 18 June 2001 aligned with the groove of the U-shaped top end of the holding member 12. The bar or rod 22 is then released whereby the holding member 12 holds the radial arm 20 in the manner shown in Figure 3 thus preventing rotation of the top section of the rotary clothes hoist. The hoist being in a stationary position readily facilitates the hanging of clothes on the lines 21 but if at any time it is necessary to rotate the upper section of the clothes hoist say, through 900, the holding member 12 can be easily released by pulling down on bar or rod 22 whereby the top section is rotated until another radial arm 20 is in position for engagement with the holding member 12. The device of this invention may be used to prevent rotation of the upper portion of the hoist when hanging clothes on the lines, removing clothes from the lines or in cases where it is necessary to stop rotation of the upper section of the clothes hoist due, for example, to high winds.

Whilst one particular embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it will be readily apparent that modifications may be readily effected without departing from the scope of the invention. It is only essential that the device clamp to the clothes line fixed post and attach to the rotary section of the clothes hoist to prevent rotation thereof.

oo.o0i ooo• PES:AM:40495199:COMPLETE 18 June 2001

Claims

2. A holding device according to claim 1 wherein, said holding member engages a radial arm of said rotary portion to prevent rotation thereof.
3. A holding device according to claim 2 wherein said holding member is biased to said extended position and is forcibly retractable to said retracted position.
4. A holding device according to claim 2 or3 wherein said first member is a tubular member and said holding member slides within said tubular member, said holding member having a generally U-shaped distal end for engaging and retaining said radial arm therein.
5. A holding device according to claim 4 wherein'the holding member is spring biased to said extended position and a handle is fixed to laid holding member to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, to provide a gripping means for sliding said holding member, within said tubular member, against the force of said spring, to said retracted position.
6. A holding device according to claim 5 wherein said tubular member is mounted on said fixed post of said rotary clothes line by two or more C-shaped clamps which facilitate adjustment of the position of the device on the rotary clothes lines.
7. A holding device according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6 wherein said rotary clothes lines is a rotary hoist and said holding device may be PES:AM :40495199:COMPLETE 3 November 2004 disengaged from said radial arm either by raising the height of said rotary portion of the clothes line and/or retracting said holding member.
8. A holding device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED: 20 June 2001 FREEHILLS CARTER SMITH BEADLE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant VRIESEMA, Hermanus Hendrik PES:AM:40495199:COMPLETE 19 June 2001