AU2018226499B1 - Clothes Line Distribution System - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechanism for an extendable clothes line assembly to evenly distribute the line over the spools as the lines are retracted. The mechanism is driven by the rotation of the drum and translates the rotational motion into a reciprocating motion of a bar with guides in front of each of the spools. As the line is evenly spooled the line is packed in less space and avoids getting jammed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an extendible clothes line, in particular a system for evenly distributing lines across multiple spools.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Extendible clothes lines are well known and comprise a series of spools of lines mounted on a common drum. The lines are extended by a common bar attached to each line and in doing so compress a spring attached to the drum which can then be used to retract the lines back onto the spools. As the lines retract there is no control of how they feed onto the spools. Consequently the lines often sit unevenly on the spools, necessitating oversized spools and clothes line assembly, or may even jam, both of which are clearly undesirable.

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide a clothes line distribution system to evenly spread lines over spools to alleviate the above problem, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In a first aspect the invention provides system for evenly distributing clothes line across multiple spools mounted on a common drum of a clothes line assembly, comprising a reciprocating mechanism driven by the drum, and a reciprocating bar mounted parallel to the drum and driven by the reciprocating mechanism and including line guide apertures for each one of the multiple spools.

[0005] Preferably the reciprocating mechanism comprises a worm screw driven by the drum, a worm gear including a drive and driven by the worm screw, and a follower engaging the drive pin to translate rotary motion of the worm gear to reciprocating motion of the follower.

[0006] In preference the follower comprises a sinusoidal track to impart an even speed to the follower.

[0007] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any

2018226499 07 Sep 2018 of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0009] Figure 1 shows a retractable clothes line assembly incorporating the present invention with various components removed to reveal the inner mechanism.

[0010] Figure 2 shows the reciprocating mechanism of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the reciprocating mechanism.

[0012] Figure 4 shows the moving parts of the reciprocating mechanism.

[0013] Figure 5 shows a partially exploded view of the moving parts of the reciprocating mechanism.

[0014] Figure 6 shows a portion of the clothes line assembly including the reciprocating mechanism and a single spool of line.

[0015] Figures 7A and 7B are a further depopulated view of Figure 6, just showing the moving components, with Figure 7A showing the reciprocating mechanism in a first position and Figure 7B showing the reciprocating mechanism in a second position.

DRAWING COMPONENTS [0016] The drawings include the following integers.

clothes line assembly drum spools spooled line line drawbar reciprocating bar

2018226499 07 Sep 2018 guides reciprocating mechanism

30’ moving components of reciprocating mechanism chassis follower guide spindle bearing worm screw spiral teeth journal worm wheel bevel teeth drive pin follower track

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0018] The present invention provides a clothes line distribution system to evenly spread lines over spools, thereby allowing the lines to easily wind and unwind and take up minimal space. Each line is fed through an individual guide on a common reciprocating bar which is driven from the drum supporting the spools.

[0019] Figure 1 shows a retractable clothes line assembly 10 incorporating the present invention with various well known components removed to reveal the inner mechanism. The clothes line assembly 10 comprises a drum 11 on which are mounted several spools 12 for holding spooled lines 14. Lines 16 extend from the spools to draw bar 18 via guides 22 in reciprocating bar 20. Reciprocating mechanism 30 imparts a reciprocating motion to the reciprocating bar 20 to evenly distribute the lines 16 across the spools when the lines retract and are fed onto the spools.

2018226499 07 Sep 2018 [0020] Figure 2 shows the reciprocating mechanism 30 of the invention in isolation assembled whilst Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the mechanism. The mechanism in essence comprises a worm screw 40 driven by the drum 11 of the clothes line assembly which in turn drives a worm wheel 50 with a guide pin 54 for imparting a reciprocating motion on follower 60. Chassis 32 supports the worm wheel 50 on spindle 36 and the journal 44 of worm screw 40 in slide bearing 38 so that the spiral teeth 42 of the worm screw engage the bevel teeth 52 of the worm wheel. Follower 60 sits atop the worm wheel to engage guide pin 54 and is held in place with follower guide 34.

[0021] Figure 4 and Figure 5 show just the moving parts 30’of the reciprocating mechanism form an above perspective view and a below exploded view respectively. The worm screw 40 engages the worm wheel 50 which in turn engages the track 62 of the follower 60 via drive pin 54. The combination of parts converts the rotary motion of the drum about the drum axis to a reciprocating motion parallel to the drum axis. The track 62 of the follower is sinusoidal in shape to even out the reciprocating speed of the follower 60, which would otherwise have a sinusoidal variation imparted by the rotary motion of the drive pin. This ensures that the line is distributed evenly across the spools.

[0022] Figure 6 shows a portion of the clothes line assembly including the reciprocating mechanism 30 and a single spool 12 partially covered with spooled line

14. Both the spool 12 and reciprocating mechanism 30 are driven by the rotation of drum 11. The follower 60 of the reciprocating mechanism is attached to reciprocating bar 20 which includes guide 22 which determines how the line 16 is fed onto the spool 12 to form evenly spooled line 14. The worm gear arrangement provides the required down gearing to slowly move the guide 22 across the spool.

[0023] Figures 7A and 7B are further depopulated views of Figure 6, just showing the moving components, with Figure 7A showing the reciprocating mechanism in a first position and Figure 7B showing the reciprocating mechanism in a second position. As the drum 11, spool 12 and worm screw 40 rotate in unison the worm wheel 50 engaged with the worm screw also rotates, moving the follower 60 and attached reciprocating bar slowly from left to right, thus moving guide 22 across the spool 12 to form evenly spooled line 14. As the drum rotates further the reciprocating mechanism will move back again from right to left, producing a further layer of spooled line on top of the first

2018226499 07 Sep 2018 layer of spooled line. The single reciprocating mechanism 30 and reciprocating bar 20 with its multiple guides 22 will ensure each of the multiple spools is simultaneously wound neatly with line.

[0024] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a mechanism for a clothes line assembly for evenly distributing lines over multiple spools simultaneously as the lines are retracted.

[0025] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0026] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims (1)

1. A system for evenly distributing clothes line across multiple spools mounted on a common drum of a clothes line assembly, comprising a reciprocating mechanism driven by the drum, and a reciprocating bar mounted parallel to the drum and driven by the reciprocating mechanism and including line guide apertures for each one of the multiple spools, wherein the reciprocating mechanism comprises a worm screw coaxially mounted to the drum, a worm gear including a drive and driven by the worm screw, and a follower engaging the drive pin to translate rotary motion of the worm gear to reciprocating motion of the follower.