AU2011100204A4 - Container for use with a clothesline having a support post - Google Patents

Description

- 1 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicants: Andrew James Moore and Penelope Moore Actual Inventor: Andrew James Moore Address for Service is: SHELSTON IP 60 Margaret Street Telephone No: (02) 9777 1111 SYDNEY NSW 2000 Facsimile No. (02) 9241 4666 CCN: 3710000352 Attorney Code: SW Invention Title: CONTAINER FOR USE WITH A CLOTHESLINE HAVING A SUPPORT POST The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: File: 69213AUP00 2 CONTAINER FOR USE WITH A CLOTHESLINE HAVING A SUPPORT POST FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates a container for use with a clothesline having a support post. [0002] Embodiments of the invention have been particularly developed for a container for use with a clothesline having a substantially centrally disposed support post and for holding clothes pegs. While some embodiments will be described herein with particular reference to that application, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such a field of use, and is applicable in broader contexts. BACKGROUND [0003] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such art is widely known or fors part of common general knowledge in the field. [0004] Clothes peg containers are well-know products in everyday life and there are many different varieties. The vessel portion of the container is generally known to be a simple basket or bucket. These are known to fasten to clotheslines having a substantially centrally disposed support post in one of two ways. [0005] The first of these is to suspend the basket or bucket from a part of the clothesline itself or from a support arm or a clothesline. This is generally achieved by using a hook that is either incorporated in the clothesline or basket, or is adapted to attach the basket to the clothesline. [0006] The second method is to fastening the basket or bucket to the central support post of a clothesline. This is done by simply strapping the basket to the post using cords of varying types, or by using a specific bracket that is specifically adapted to attach the basket to the post. In this case the basket will be fixed to a particular side of the post.

3 [0007] Both of these methods only provide limited access to the clothes pegs in the basket. Specifically the first method requires the clothesline to be maneuvered so that the basket is in reaching distance. The second method requires the person to move around the post if they are located on the opposite side of the post relative to the basket. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. [0009] According to an embodiment of the invention there is provided a container for use with a clothesline having a support post, the container including: an attachment formation for fastening the container to the support post; and at least one sidewall extending from the attachment formation and terminating at a peripheral edge defining a substantially upwardly facing opening, such that the peripheral edge circumferentially surrounds the support post. [0010] In an embodiment, the sidewall is frusto-conical. [0011] In another embodiment, the sidewall is formed of a single piece of sheet material. [0012] In an embodiment, the attachment formation is a fastening collar having an aperture for receiving the post. In other embodiments, the collar at least in part defines adjustment means for allowing the size of the aperture to be changed. In another embodiment, the adjustment means includes a nut and bolt. [0013] In an embodiment, the sidewall is integrally formed from the collar. [0014] In an embodiment, the sidewall includes a plurality of perforations for allowing drainage of fluid from the container. [0015] In an embodiment, the sidewalls are formed from a plastics material. The sidewall, in another embodiment, is substantially translucent. [0016] In another embodiment, the sidewall includes at least two connection portions and a fastener for maintaining the connection portions in a predetermined relative 4 orientation. In embodiments, the connection portions overlap and the fastener extends through both portions. [0017] In another embodiment, the connection portions are adjacent each other and the fastener extends between the portions. [0018] In a further embodiment, the sidewall includes a fastener. In some embodiments, the fastener is a clip. In further embodiments, the clip includes two clamping elements that are resiliently biased into clamping engagement. [0019] In an embodiment, the sidewall includes at least one storage receptacle. [0020] In other embodiments, the sidewall includes strengthening elements. In embodiments, the strengthening elements are strengthening ribs. In yet other embodiments, the strengthening ribs extend in a radially outwardly direction. [0021] In embodiments, sidewall 1 includes a top edge having two opposed ends. In other embodiments, the container is movable between an installed position wherein the ends are abutted or overlapping, and an uninstalled position where the ends are spaced apart. In other embodiments, the container is resiliently biased into the installed position. [0022] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment", "some embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment", "in some embodiments" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. [0023] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

5 [0024] In the claims below and the description herein, any one of the terms comprising, comprised of or which comprises is an open term that means including at least the elements/features that follow, but not excluding others. Thus, the tenn comprising, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limitative to the means or elements or steps listed thereafter. For example, the scope of the expression a device comprising A and B should not be limited to devices consisting only of elements A and B. Any one of the terms including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a container in use with a clothesline having a substantially centrally disposed support post according to one embodiment; Figure 2 is a side schematic representation of the container of Figure 1; Figure 2A is an enlarged side schematic representation of the collar of Figure 2; Figure 3 is a top view schematic representation of the container of Figures 1 and 2, shown in an installed configuration; Figure 4 is a top view schematic representation of the container of Figure 3, shown in an uninstalled configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1, in use; and Figure 6 is perspective view of a container in use with a clothesline having a substantially centrally disposed support post according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0026] Referring initially to Figure 1, described herein is a clothes peg container I for use with a clothesline 2 having a substantially centrally disposed generally vertical metal support post 3. Container I includes an attachment formation in the form of an adjustable plastics fastening collar 5 for releasably fastening container 1 to post 3.

6 Container 1 also includes at a substantially frusto-conical plastics sidewall 6 that extends upwardly from collar 5 and terminates at a substantially continuous peripheral top edge 7. The edge both defines a substantially upwardly facing generally circular opening 8 and circumferentially surrounds the support post 3. [0027] Referring to Figures 2 and 2A, sidewall 6 includes a lower edge 4 that extends along a generally circular path and which is substantially concentric with, but of much smaller diameter than, opening 8. Referring specifically to Figure 2A, collar 5 is formed from a continuous length of plastics material and is integrally formed with and extends downwardly from edge 4. The collar includes a substantially circular mounting aperture 14 (best shown in Figure 3) for receiving post 3, where the diameter of the aperture is slightly less than the diameter of the circular path followed by edge 4. Collar 5 is separable at a predefined separation point 15 to allow it to be positioned about post 3 and be received by aperture 14. Separation point 15 is defined by opposing abutting ends 16 and 17 of collar 5. [0028] In other embodiments collar 5 is not integrally formed with sidewall 6 and is a completely separate component that wraps around a lower portion of sidewall 6 to fasten it to post 3. In further embodiments, collar 5 is formed of other than plastics material. For example, in one embodiment the collar is formed from a metal or metal alloy. In yet other embodiments, collar 5 is formed from a combination of materials. [0029] Collar 5 includes a fastening means in the form of a nut 21 and bolt 22. Ends 16 and 17 of collar 5 include respective radially outwardly extending integrally formed portions 24 and 25 having respective generally aligned circular apertures 26 and 27 configured to receive bolt 22. When apertures 26 and 27 receive bolt 22, nut 21 is typically manually threaded with bolt 22 to progress ends 16 and 17 toward each other. In doing so, collar 5 moves into progressively increasing conforming engagement with post 3 and applies a radially inwardly clamping force to the post to fasten container 1 to post 3. In other embodiments, various other fastening means are used. [0030] As best shown in Figure 5, sidewall 6 is formed from a substantially durable and flexible plastics material that is also substantially UV resistant and includes a substantially continuous exterior surface 30 and an opposite substantially continuous interior surface 31. The plastics material, in various embodiments, is either translucent 7 or opaque. In some embodiments use is made of colouring or tinting of the plastics material to provide a desired visual appearance. It will be appreciated that solid colours, or a combination of colours, are used in further embodiments. In still further embodiments, sidewall 6 has indicia and/or a printable design applied or incorporated onto one or more of surfaces 30 and 3 1. [0031] It is noted that, in embodiments, the plastics material of sidewall 6 is generally a more flexible plastics material then that of which collar 5 is formed. In contrast, collar 5 is formed from a more rigid and generally thicker plastics material. In embodiments, the colours of collar 5 and sidewall 6 are the same. In other embodiments the colours of collar 5 and sidewall 6 are different. In yet other embodiments, the colours of one or both of collar 5 and sidewall 6 are available to be selected to coordinate with the colour of post 3. [0032] Referring back to Figures 2 and 3, sidewall 6 also includes a plurality of spaced apart drainage perforations 35 for allowing drainage of fluid from container 1. These perforations take a variety of designs in various embodiments, including radially outwardly extending slots (as shown in the Figures), circumferentially extending slots, small substantially circular apertures, and a grid matrix of substantially square apertures. It is emphasized that the drainage perforations 35 are of a small enough size that a standard clothes peg would not fall through the perforations while still allowing for adequate water drainage. [0033] Similarly to collar 5, edge 7 includes ends 40 and 41 which are respectively connected to ends 16 and 17 by side edges 42 (intermediate ends 16 and 40) and 43 (intermediate ends 17 and 41). [0034] Edge 7 includes a fastener in the form of a clip 45 that is fixed to end 40. Clip 45 is a plastics clip having two clamping elements that are resiliently biased into clamping engagement. In some embodiments, clip 45 includes an actuating element to move the clamping elements into and out of clamping engagement with each other. [0035] Clip 45 is integrally formed with end 40. In other embodiments, clip 45 is fixedly attached to end 40. For example, in one embodiment, clip 45 is fixedly attached by way of an adhesive.

8 [0036] In some embodiments such as that shown in Figure 6, sidewall 6 overlaps with itself, defining a pair of overlapping connection portions 48 and 49. When overlapped, portions 48 and 49 are disposed such that: ends 40 and 41 are substantially spaced apart from each other; and edges 42 and 43 extend beyond each other such that portions 48 and 49 are located between edges 42 and 43. In this embodiment, end 40 is positioned adjacent a portion of edge 7 and clip 45 extends through both portions and clampingly engages edge 7. In other embodiments different arrangements are used. For example, in one specific further embodiment, portions 48 and 49 are adjacent each other, ends 40 and 41 abut one another, and clip 45 extends between the portions 48 and 49. [0037] In other embodiments clip 45 is fixed to end 41 and functions in substantially the same manner as embodiments where the clip is fixed to end 40. [0038] In further embodiments (not shown), additional attachment means are included along one or both of edges 42 and 43 such that these edges are fastened together. [0039] Referring again to Figure 1, post 3 includes a top portion 50 adjacent a plurality of clothesline support arms 51, and a height adjustment mechanism 52 having a crank handle 53. In the illustrated embodiment, container 1 is mounted vertically intermediate portion 50 and mechanism 52, with collar 5 positioned just above the top of mechanism 52. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that container 1 is able to be mounted to post 3 at any one of an infinite number of desired locations along post 3. Moreover, container I is easily moved to another location on post 3 to accommodate the requirements of a different user or use. [0040] Collar 5, nut 21 and bolt 22 collectively define adjustment means for allowing the size of aperture 14 to be changed. This degree of adjustment is essentially governed by the length of bolt 22 as nut 21 threadedly engages bolt 22 to fasten collar 5 to post 3. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in other embodiments, the adjustment means is other than the above configuration. [0041] In further embodiments that are not illustrated, sidewall 6 includes at least one storage receptacle for temporary storage of personal effects such as mobile telephones, wallets and car keys. In some embodiments, the receptacle is fixedly attached to sidewall 6. In other embodiments, the receptacle is integrally formed with sidewall 6.

9 [0042] In other embodiments, container 1 includes one or more sidewalls that are other than frusto-conical. For example, in one embodiment (not shown), container I includes four sidewalls that collectively form an inverted and truncated square pyramid, with opening 8 being of substantially square in shape. In this embodiment each sidewall is integrally formed. However, in other embodiments, each sidewall is a separate piece fixed together, for example, by an adhesive. [0043] In another embodiment (not shown), the container I includes one or more sidewalls that form a generally cylindrical container. In this embodiment, the container has a base that: extends radially outwardly from collar 5; and which terminates in an outer radial peripheral edge. Sidewall 6 extends substantially upwardly from the outer radial peripheral and terminates in edge 7. [0044] Sidewall 6, in some embodiments, includes strengthening elements. These are in the form of, for example, strengthening ribs extending in a radially outwardly direction from adjacent edge 4 to adjacent edge 7. [0045] In the preferred embodiments, opening 8 is about 320 mm to 450 mm in diameter, denoted in Figure 2 as length 60. In other embodiments, length 60 is greater than 450 mm. In yet other embodiments, length 60 is less than 320 mm. In a particularly preferable embodiment length 60 is about 380 mm in diameter. This preferable size is such that the opening is desirably large without container I extending radially outwardly to interfere with the clothes hanging operation. It is commonplace that with most clotheslines, such as clothesline 2 from Figure 1, arms 51 support a plurality of concentric wire lines (not shown) from which items are hung. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that length 60 is such that the radial distance of edge 7 from post 3 will be less than the radial distance from post 3 to an innermost line. This will reduce the chance of container 1 interfering with the clothes hanging operation. [0046] Collar 5 is about 58 mm in diameter, denoted in Figure 2 as length 61. It has been discovered by the inventor that the more commonly used centre-stand clotheslines in use in Australia typically include a post diameter of about 58 mm. However, embodiments of the invention are also applicable to less commonly used post diameters and to other than centre-stand clothes lines. In other embodiments, length 61 10 is about 45 mm to 70 mm in diameter. In yet other embodiments, length 61 is greater than 70 mm. In yet other embodiments, length 61 is less than 45 mm. [0047] The vertical distance from collar 5 to opening 8, denoted in Figure 2 as height 62, is about is about 200 mm. In other embodiments, height 62 is about 160 mm to 250 mm. In yet other embodiments, height 62 is greater than 250 mm. In yet other embodiments, height 62 is less than 160 mm. [0048] Container 1 is resiliently biased into an installed configuration with ends 40 and 41 either abutting as shown in Figure 3, or overlapping as shown in Figure 6, and ends 16 and 17 abutting or fixedly connected by nut 21 and bolt 22. In yet other embodiments, container 1 is resiliently biased into an uninstalled configuration, shown in Figure 4. [0049] In use, container 1 is installed on post 3 by first unwinding nut 21 and bolt 22 and removing bolt 22 from apertures 26 and 27, as well as releasing clip 45 from end 41. This allows the bias to be relatively easily manually overcome to allow container 1 to be moved into an uninstalled configuration with ends 16 and 17 and ends 40 and 41 in a spaced apart configuration, shown in Figure 4. Once in the uninstalled configuration, container 1 is positioned substantially around post 3 at the desired height. Container I is then allowed to resiliently progress toward the installed configuration and present collar 5 into substantially continuous circumferential engagement with post 3. Bolt 22 is then inserted through apertures 26 and 27 and nut 21 is manually threaded onto the free end bolt 22 to establish and maintain the clamping engagement between collar 5 and post 3. The clamping elements of clip 45 will clamp to the portion of sidewall 6 adjacent to and including end 41 to further retain container I in the installed configuration. [0050] In other embodiments, the resilient bias of container 1 into the installed configuration is the only means of fastening the container to post 3. [0051] Container I is advantageous over the prior art for at least the following reasons: * The wrap-around design of the container, that is, the fact that is generally circumferentially surrounds the support post of the clothesline it very advantageous as it allows access to the container from all sides. This l1 provides ease of use as clothes pegs will be easily accessible and easy to put away for storage. * Simplistic and attractive design. Container 1 is a single unit that can easily be installed and removed as desired. " From a manufacturing perspective, the assembly of a single unit is simplistic and therefore cheap. Furthermore, cheaper recycled plastics can be used as material for the container. e Frusto-conical shape is safe, as there are no sharp corners. " The large opening provides a big target. This helps the user in that it provides easy access when both retrieving clothes pegs from the container, or returning clothes pegs to the container for storage. The return of clothes pegs is especially advantageous big target also allows clothes pegs to be thrown from greater distances and the will still land in the container without relatively skilled accuracy. " The design and materials make the container relatively easy to clean and maintain. * The fact that the container can generally be placed at a desired height is advantageous as a user can mount the container at a height that negates the need for bending down or reaching up for clothes pegs. " The inclusion of the clip on the top edge is advantageous as it provides additional structural integrity to the container. [0052] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

12 [0053] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, FIG., or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. [0054] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination. [0055] Furthermore, some of the embodiments are described herein as a method or combination of elements of a method that can be implemented by a processor of a computer system or by other means of carrying out the function. Thus, a processor with the necessary instructions for carrying out such a method or element of a method forms a means for carrying out the method or element of a method. Furthermore, an element described herein of an apparatus embodiment is an example of a means for carrying out the function performed by the element for the purpose of carrying out the invention. [0056] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. [0057] Similarly, it is to be noticed that the term coupled, when used in the claims, should not be interpreted as being limited to direct connections only. The terms 13 "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. It should be understood that these tens are not intended as synonyms for each other. Thus, the scope of the expression a device A coupled to a device B should not be limited to devices or systems wherein an output of device A is directly connected to an input of device B. It means that there exists a path between an output of A and an input of B which may be a path including other devices or means. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are either in direct physical or electrical contact, or that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. [0058] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A container for use with a clothesline having a support post, the container including: (a) an attachment formation for fastening the container to the support post; and (b)at least one sidewall extending from the attachment formation and terminating at a peripheral edge that defines a substantially upwardly facing opening, wherein the peripheral edge circumferentially surrounds the support post.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the sidewall is formed of a single piece of sheet material.

3. A container according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the attachment formation is a fastening collar having an aperture for receiving the post.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the collar at least in part defines adjustment means for allowing the size of the aperture to be changed.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sidewall includes a plurality of perforations for allowing drainage of fluid from the container.