AU2019100140A4 - A foldable support device and method of use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(Figure 4) The present invention concerns a foldable support device for supporting a laundry container relative to a vertical surface, such as, e.g., a wall or clothesline pole or post. The device includes a support mount mountable to the vertical surface; and a support pivotally coupled to the support mount and pivotable between an operable position in which the support extends outwardly from the vertical surface for supporting a laundry container and a stowage position in which the support extends alongside the vertical surface in a substantially vertical orientation. 122 \ 142 149 14 146 145 140 147 144 Figure 4

Description

A FOLDABLE SUPPORT DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a foldable support device and method of use for supporting a laundry container relative to a vertical surface, such as, e.g., a wall or clothesline pole or post.

BACKGROUND [0002] Many people, including the elderly, mobility impaired and injured, have great difficulty in hanging their washed clothes on a clothesline. The action generally involves a person repeatedly bending over to reach clothes contained in a laundry basket resting on a ground surface for hanging on the clothesline. The action can strain the back of even a healthy individual, particularly when there is a large quantity of clothes to be hung.

[0003] Laundry basket trolleys are a known solution to the above difficulties. Such trolleys support a laundry basket off of a ground surface thereby minimising a distance a person needs to bend to reach clothes from the basket.

[0004] However, such trolleys can be difficult to move, particularly when bearing the load of a heavy laundry basket, thereby presenting further difficulties for an elderly, mobility impaired and/or injured person. In such instances, it is not uncommon for a trolley to be abandoned somewhere along a path between the clothesline and the laundry, which in turn creates a tripping hazard or obstacle for a person trying to navigate the path.

[0005] Many laundry basket trolleys are foldable to enable a trolley to be stowed away when not in use. However, such foldable trolleys can be difficult to fold and unfold, and can potentially be a source of injury, particularly if not correctly unfolded. As such, this can again lead to the trolley being abandoned and a person reverting to resting their laundry basket atop a ground surface and again straining their back as he or she repeatedly bends over to reach his or her clothes.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] Embodiments of the present invention provide a foldable support device and method of use for supporting a laundry container, which may minimise or overcome at least one of the abovementioned difficulties or provide a consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foldable

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 support device for supporting a laundry container relative to a vertical surface, said device including:

a support mount mountable to the vertical surface; and a support pivotally coupled to the support mount and pivotable between an operable position in which the support extends outwardly from the vertical surface in a substantially horizontal orientation for supporting the laundry container and a stowage position in which the support extends alongside the vertical surface in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0008] Advantageously, the present invention provides a foldable support device that is mountable to a clothes line post or pole or adjacent wall and readily able to be pivoted to an operable position for supporting a laundry container above a ground surface. Furthermore, by being mounted, the device removes the difficulties associated with folding/unfolding a laundry trolley and moving the laundry trolley between the laundry and the clothes line. Moreover, by being mounted and pivotable to a stowage position when not in use, the device does not pose an obstacle for an elderly, mobility impaired and/or injured person to navigate on a path between the laundry and the clothes line.

[0009] A “laundry container” may encompass any container suitably sized and shaped for holding and transporting clothing and household textiles before and after being laundered. Typically, such containers are made of plastic or woven materials, such as, e.g., fibrous or pliable materials. Usually, such containers have a substantially rectangular base, a rim and four sidewalls extending upwardly from edges of the base to the rim. However, laundry containers having an oval-shaped base and a single curved sidewall extending upwardly from an edge of the base to a rim are known as well.

[0010] The device may be of any suitable size, shape and construction and formed from any suitable material or materials to support a laundry basket. Generally, the device may be formed from a durable material or materials capable of withstanding long term exposure to the elements when for example mounted to an outdoor clothesline. Typically, the device may be formed from metal and/or plastic material or materials, preferably metal.

[0011] The device may be of unitary construction or may be formed from two or more device pieces joined together, preferably the latter.

[0012] As indicated above, the device includes a support mount for mounting the device to a vertical surface.

[0013] The vertical surface may include any suitable vertical mounting surface. Typically, the vertical surface may include a clothesline post or pole or an internal or an external wall,

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 preferably adjacent a clothesline.

[0014] The support mount may be of any suitable size, shape and construction for mounting to a vertical surface and may mount to the vertical surface in any suitable way, preferably releasably.

[0015] For example, in some embodiments, the support mount may include a bracket configured to at least partially abut against and be fastened to the vertical surface by one or more fasteners, such as, e.g., one or more mechanical fasteners and/or one or more chemical fasteners.

[0016] In one such embodiments, the bracket may be fastened to the vertical surface by one or more chemical fasteners. For example, the one or more chemical fasteners may include a wet adhesive, a dry adhesive and/or double-sided adhesive tape extending between the bracket and the vertical surface.

[0017] In another such embodiment, the bracket may be fastened to the vertical surface by one or more mechanical fasteners. For example, the one or more mechanical fasteners may include one or more threaded fasteners, which may extend through respective openings defined in the bracket and the vertical surface.

[0018] In other embodiments, the support mount may connect to the vertical surface by a connecting mechanism or part of a connecting mechanism. The connecting mechanism may include a first part associated with the support mount and a second part connectable to the first part and associated with the vertical surface.

[0019] The parts ofthe connecting mechanism may respectively include mateable male and female portions that couple together, including threaded connections, interference fit connections or bayonet-type connections, for example.

[0020] For example, the first part of the connecting mechanism associated with the support mount may include a male formation configured to be inserted into or coupled with a female formation of the second part of the connecting mechanism associated with the vertical surface. Conversely, the first part of the connecting mechanism may include a female formation configured to at least partially receive or be coupled with a male formation of the second part of the connecting mechanism.

[0021] In some embodiments, the support mount may include at least one pair of opposed clamping members configured to at least partially clamp about at least portion of the vertical surface, such as, e.g., a post or pole. Each clamping member may typically be in the form of a

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 band or strap configured to at least partially extend about the post or pole.

[0022] In some such embodiments, the support mount may further include a screw and/or worm drive for clamping the opposed clamping members together and tightening or loosening the clamping members relative to one another.

[0023] In other such embodiments, each clamping member may include one or more openings defined at or near a distal end and the support mount may further include one or more mechanical fasteners configured to be at least partially received in overlapping said one or more openings defined in the clamping members for fastening the clamping members together about the post or pole.

[0024] In yet other embodiments, the support mount may include a sleeve or part of a sleeve configured to extend at least partially about the vertical surface in the form of a post or pole.

[0025] In some such embodiments, the sleeve or part of the sleeve may be fastened to the post or pole with one or more chemical and/or mechanical fasteners as described above.

[0026] In other such embodiments, the sleeve or part of the sleeve may further include a pair of opposed distal edges configured to be fastened together about the post or pole. The edges may be again be fastened together about the post or pole with one or more chemical and/or mechanical fasteners as described above.

[0027] As indicated above, the device includes a support pivotally coupled to the support mount and pivotable between the operable and stowage positions. The support may be of any suitable size, shape and construction for supporting a laundry container in the operable position relative to the vertical surface. Likewise, the support may be pivotally coupled to the support mount in any suitable way.

[0028] Typically, the support may have a substantially elongate shape including at least one rail or sidewall for retaining a laundry container supported atop the support, when in the operable position.

[0029] The support may be circular or oval-shaped. Conversely, the support may be in the shape of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon or an octagon, for example. Preferably, the support may be square or rectangular-shaped.

[0030] Generally, the support may include an upper surface, an opposed lower surface, an outer end, an opposed inner end pivotally coupled to the support mount and opposed longitudinal sides.

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 [0031] In a first embodiment, the support may include a base for supporting a laundry container. As indicated above, the base may preferably be square or rectangular-shaped.

[0032] Preferably, the base may be in the form of a plate or sheet. The plate or sheet may have opposed surfaces extending substantially parallel to one another, including the upper surface and the opposed lower surface when the support is in the operable position. The opposed surfaces may be interconnected by opposing edges, including a forward edge corresponding to the outer end of the support, an opposed rear edge corresponding to the inner end of the support pivotally coupled to the support mount and opposed side edges corresponding to the longitudinal sides.

[0033] In some such embodiments, corners defined between adjacent edges of the plate or sheet may be rounded.

[0034] In further such embodiments, the plate or sheet may include one or more openings extending through the opposed surfaces for ventilation, drainage and/or reducing the weight of the support. In particular such embodiments, the plate or sheet may be a perforated plate or sheet including a plurality of perforated openings extending through the opposed surfaces. The perforated openings may be arranged on the base or sheet to create a pattern, decorative shape or word(s), for example.

[0035] In preferred such embodiments, the support may further include a rim and at least one sidewall extending from an edge of the base to the rim for assisting in retaining a laundry container atop the support. The rim may extend from an outer portion (away from the base) of the at least one sidewall and at least partway along an outer edge of the at least one sidewall.

[0036] Preferably, the support may include a square or rectangular-shaped base plate or sheet with four sidewalls each extending orthogonally away from an edge of the base plate or sheet to a rim extending from the outer portion of the four sidewalls and extending continuously along the outer edge of all four sidewalls.

[0037] In a second embodiment, the support may include a support frame for supporting a laundry container. The support frame may be formed from two or more frame members joined together, for example.

[0038] For example, in one such embodiment, the support frame may be formed from at least a pair of parallel frame members extending longitudinally between the inner and outer ends of the support and defining the longitudinal sides of the support. The pair of frame members may be joined together by one or more transversely extending cross frame members, typically

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 using conventional welding techniques or with one or more mechanical fasteners.

[0039] In another such embodiments, the support frame may be formed from at least three parallel frame members extending longitudinally between the inner and outer ends of the support. Each outer frame member may define a longitudinal side of the support. A central frame member may define a mid-line of the support. Again, the at least three parallel frame members may or may not be joined together by one or more transversely extending cross frame members, typically using conventional welding techniques or with one or more mechanical fasteners.

[0040] Each frame member may include a pair of opposed ends and may extend longitudinally between the opposed ends.

[0041 ] The frame members may be of tubular or solid construction, preferably the latter with a substantially flat or planar profile shape.

[0042] In some such embodiments, the support may further include at least one rail extending at least partway about a periphery of the support frame for assisting in retaining a laundry container supported atop the support. The at least one rail may extend substantially parallel to the support frame at least partway about the periphery and may be supported in a spaced parallel arrangement relative to the periphery ofthe support frame.

[0043] The at least one rail may be supported relative to the support frame in any suitable way. For example, the at least one rail may be supported relative to the support frame by one or more post frame members extending between the at least one rail and the support frame. Additionally and/or alternatively, the at least one rail may be supported relative to the support frame by an end portion of one or more of the frame members forming the support frame. The end portion may be bent, curved or turned relative to a remainder of the frame member for supporting the at least one rail relative to a remainder of the support frame. The at least one rai may be joined to the one or more post frame members and/or end portions of frame members, typically using conventional welding techniques or with one or more mechanical fasteners.

[0044] As indicated above, the support may be pivotally coupled to the support mount in any suitable way such that the support may be pivotable between the operable and stowage positions.

[0045] Generally, the support may be pivotally coupled to the support mount at or near an inner end.

[0046] In some embodiments, the support may include one or more bearings located at or

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 near the inner end and the support mount may include one or more corresponding pivot pins for pinning the bearings at the inner end to the support mount.

[0047] In other embodiments, the support mount may include one or more bearings and the inner end of the support may include one or more corresponding pivot pins for pinning the inner end of the support to each of the one or more bearings associated with the support mount.

[0048] In yet other embodiments, the support may be slidably connected to the support mount, preferably in a linear arrangement in which the support may be slidable between an extended and retracted position relative to the support mount. In the extended position, the support may preferably be pivotable relative to the support mount.

[0049] For example, the support mount may be slidably connected to at least one shaped groove or channel extending linearly along a lower surface of the support from the inner end at least partway towards the outer end. The support mount may include at least one retaining pin configured to be retainable and slidable within the at least one shaped groove or channel such that the at least one retaining pin is able to move along and within the shaped groove or channel but is prevented from separating away from the shaped groove or channel.

[0050] In such embodiments, the support may preferably be slidable in a linear direction upwardly from the retracted position in the stowage position away from the support mount until the support is in the extended position, and then the support may be pivotable to the operable position relative to the support mount. Likewise, the support may be pivotable upwards away from the operable position towards the support mount such that the support extends in an orientation substantially parallel with the vertical surface, and then the support may be slidable in a linear direction downwardly to the retracted position and the stowage position.

[0051 ] In yet other preferred embodiments, the support mount and the support may pivotally coupled by a hinge mechanism joined to an inner edge portion of the lower surface of the support and an outer surface of the support mount. The hinge mechanism may be of any suitable size, shape and form capable of pivoting the support between the stowage and operable positions relative to the support mount and the vertical surface. The hinge mechanism may be joined to the support and the support mount using conventional welding techniques or with one or more mechanical fasteners.

[0052] The hinge mechanism may preferably include a support portion joined to the inner edge portion of the lower surface of the support and a support mount portion joined to the support mount. The support portion may longitudinally extend along the lower surface of the support from the inner end at least partially towards the outer end. The support mount portion may

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 longitudinally extend at least partially along an outer surface of the support mount. In some embodiments, the support mount portion may be integrally formed with the support mount. The support portion and the support mount portion may be pivotally coupled together by a pivot pin extending through co-aligned openings defined at common ends.

[0053] In some embodiments, the hinge mechanism may further include a retaining mechanism for retaining the support in the operable position relative to the support mount and the vertical surface. The retaining mechanism may be of any suitable form. Typically, the retaining mechanism may include a release member for releasing the retaining mechanism and allowing the support to be pivoted from the operable position to the stowage position. The release member may typically be configured to be manually activated by a user, preferably manually depressed.

[0054] In specific such embodiments, the retaining mechanism may be in the form of a brace member configured to extend between the support portion and the support mount portion for releasably retaining the support portion in an extended position relative to the support mount portion.

[0055] The brace member may include a pair of opposed ends, including a first end and an opposed second end, and may extend longitudinally between the opposed ends. The brace member may be pivotally coupled at the first end to one of the support portion and the support mount portion and may be slidably coupled at the second end to at least one shaped groove or channel extending at least partially along the other of the support portion and the support mount portion of the hinge mechanism. The second end may include at least one retaining pin configured to be retainable and slidable within the at least one shaped groove or channel such that the retaining pin is able to move along and within the shaped groove or channel but is prevented from separating away from the shaped groove or channel.

[0056] The retaining pin may be slidable within the shaped groove or channel to enable the hinge mechanism to move between the extended position in which the support portion extends in a substantially orthogonal orientation relative to the support mount portion (corresponding to the operable position) and a folded position in which the support portion and the support mount portion extend in a substantially parallel arrangement relative to one another (corresponding to the stowage position).

[0057] Typically, in such embodiments, the at least one shaped groove or channel may include at least one notch at or near at least an inner end of the groove or channel for at least partially receiving and retaining the retaining pin when the hinge mechanism is in the extended position, thereby retaining the support in the operable position.

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 [0058] In such embodiments, the release member may be in the form of a lever for urging or levering the at least one retaining pin out of the at least one notch to enable the hinge mechanism to pivot and thereby the support to be pivotable to the stowage position. The release member in such embodiments may be spring-loaded.

[0059] In some embodiments, the retaining mechanism may also be configured to retain the support in the stowage position relative to the support mount and the vertical surface. In such embodiments, the at least one shaped groove or channel may further include at least one notch at or near an opposite end of the groove or channel to the inner end for at least partially receiving and retaining the at least one retaining pin when the hinge mechanism is in the folded position. In such embodiments, the retaining mechanism may further include a release member for releasing the retaining mechanism and enabling the support to be pivoted to the operable position.

[0060] In some embodiments, the upper surface of the support may include a grip to assist in stabilising a laundry container atop the support when in the operable position. The grip may include a liner or coating on at least a portion of the upper surface of the support. Additionally and/or alternatively, the grip may include one or more pads extending across at least a portion of the upper surface of the support. The grip may be formed from a resilient deformable material or materials, such as, e.g., rubber or soft plastic material or materials.

[0061] In some embodiments, the at least one sidewall or rail, if present, may be resiliently deformable to enable a laundry container to be squeezed or snugly fitted between opposing sidewalls or rails.

[0062] In some embodiments, the at least one sidewall or rail, if present, may additionally function as a support for hanging additional items, such e.g., a clothes peg basket.

[0063] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a foldable support device when hanging laundry on a clothesline, said method including: mounting a support mount of the device to a vertical surface adjacent to or on part of the clothesline; and pivoting a support of the device pivotally coupled to the support mount to an operable position for supporting a laundry container relative to the vertical surface; and optionally, pivoting the support to a stowage position when the laundry container is removed.

[0064] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using the foldable support device of the first aspect with a clothesline, said method including:

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 mounting the support mount to a vertical surface adjacent to or on part of the clothesline; and pivoting the support of the device to the operable position for supporting a laundry container relative to the vertical surface and, optionally, to the stowage position when the laundry container is removed.

[0065] The methods of the second and third aspects may include one or more characteristics or features of the device as hereinbefore described.

[0066] For example, the pivoting may preferably include pivoting the support upwards relative to the support mount and the vertical surface until the retaining mechanism of the hinge mechanism engages and retains the support in the operable position.

[0067] Likewise, the pivoting the support to the stowage position may further include initially releasing the retaining mechanism, preferably by manually depressing the release member.

[0068] The pivoting may additionally include placing the laundry container atop the support when in the operable position.

[0069] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0070] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0071] 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 Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0072] Figure 1 is a photograph showing an upper perspective view of a foldable support device according to an embodiment of the present invention for supporting a laundry container. The support device is shown in an operable position;

[0073] Figure 2 is a photograph showing a side view of the foldable support device shown in Figure 1 in a stowage position extending alongside the vertical surface;

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 [0074] Figure 3 is a photograph showing a front view of the foldable support device shown in Figure 2;

[0075] Figure 4 is a photograph showing a lower perspective view of the support device as shown in Figure 1 supporting a laundry container;

[0076] Figure 5 is a photograph showing an upper perspective view of a foldable support device according to another embodiment. The support device is shown in the operable position;

[0077] Figure 6 is a photograph showing a side view of the foldable support device shown in Figure 5 but in the stowage position;

[0078] Figure 7 is a photograph showing a front view of the foldable support device as shown in Figure 6; and [0079] Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of the foldable support device as shown in Figure 5 supporting a laundry container and a clothes peg container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0080] Figures 1 to 8 show embodiments of a foldable support device (100) for supporting a laundry container (900; shown in Figures 4 and 8) relative to a vertical surface usually adjacent or on a clothesline.

[0081] The support device (100) includes a cradle mount (110; i.e., a support mount) mountable to a vertical surface in the form of a clothesline post (800) in Figures 1 to 4 or a wall (700) in Figures 5 to 8; and a cradle (120; i.e., a support) pivotally coupled to the cradle mount (110) and pivotable between an operable position in which the cradle (120) extends outwardly from the clothesline post (800) or wall (700) in a substantially horizontal orientation for supporting a laundry container (900; shown in Figures 4 and 8) and a stowage position in which the cradle (120) extends alongside the clothesline post (800) or wall (700) in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0082] Referring to Figure 1, the support device (100) is shown in the operable position with the cradle (120) extending outwardly in a substantially horizontal position from the clothesline post (800) for supporting a laundry container (900; shown in Figure 4).

[0083] The device (100) is formed metal to withstand long term exposure to the elements when mounted to the clothesline post (800).

[0084] As shown, the cradle (120) is elongate having a substantially rectangular shape. The

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 cradle (120) has an upper surface (122), an opposed lower surface (124), an outer end (126), an opposed inner end (127) pivotally coupled to the cradle mount (110) and opposed longitudinal sides (128), when viewed in the operable position [0085] The cradle (120) is in the form of a frame formed from frame members joined together. The frame is formed from three parallel frame members (132) extending longitudinally between the inner and outer ends (126, 127) of the cradle (120). Each outer frame member (132A) defines a longitudinal side (128) of the cradle (120). A central frame member (132B) defines a mid-line of the cradle (120).

[0086] The cradle (120) further includes a rail (129) for assisting in retaining a laundry container supported atop the cradle (120).

[0087] The rail (129) is formed from a rail frame member (134) extending substantially parallel above a periphery of the frame in a spaced parallel arrangement relative to the periphery of the frame.

[0088] The rail frame member (134) is supported above each longitudinal side (128) of the cradle (120) by a support frame member (136). Each support frame member (136) extends transversely from an outer longitudinal side edge of a respective outer frame member (132A) to the rail frame member (134).

[0089] The rail frame member (134) is supported above both the inner and outer ends (126, 127) of the cradle (120) by the upturned end portions (138) of the three parallel frame members (132).

[0090] The various frame members (132, 134, 136) and portions (138) are joined together using conventional welding techniques or with one or more mechanical fasteners.

[0091] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in these figures the device (100) is shown in the stowage position. The cradle (120) extends alongside the clothesline post (800) in a substantially vertical orientation.

[0092] Referring to Figure 4, the laundry container (900) rests atop the upper surface (122) of the cradle (120) within the confines of the rail (129), which advantageously prevents the laundry container (900) from being inadvertently knocked off the cradle (120).

[0093] Figure 4 also best shows the cradle mount (110) of the device (100). The mount (110) includes two pairs of opposed clamping members (112) each configured to clamp about the clothesline post (800) to mount the device (100). Each clamping member (112) is in the form

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 of a band configured to at least partially extend about the clothesline post (800). Each pair of clamping members (112) is configured to be clamped about the clothesline post (800) and fastened in place by a mechanical fastener (114) received through co-aligned openings defined at or near a distal end of each clamping member (112).

[0094] The device (100) includes a hinge mechanism (140) pivotally coupling the cradle mount (110) and the cradle (120) together and enabling the cradle (120) to pivot between the operable and stowage position relative to the cradle mount (110).

[0095] The hinge mechanism (140) is joined to an inner edge portion of the lower surface (124) of the cradle (120) and an outer surface of the cradle mount (110). The hinge mechanism (140) is joined using conventional welding techniques or with one or more mechanical fasteners.

[0096] The hinge mechanism (140) includes a cradle portion (142) joined to an inner edge portion of the lower surface (124) of the cradle (120) and a cradle mount portion (144) joined to the cradle mount (110).

[0097] The cradle portion (142) extends longitudinally along the lower surface (124) of the cradle (120) from the inner end (127) at least partially towards the outer end (126).

[0098] The cradle mount portion (144) extends between and joins the two pairs of clamping members (112).

[0099] The cradle portion (142) and the cradle mount portion (144) are pivotally coupled together by a pivot pin (145) extending through co-aligned openings defined at common ends.

[00100] The hinge mechanism (140) further includes a retaining mechanism for releasably retaining the cradle (120) in the operable position relative to the cradle mount (110). The retaining mechanism further includes a release member for releasing the retaining mechanism and enabling the cradle (120) to be pivotable from the operable position to the stowage position. The release member is configured to be operated by manual depression by a user.

[00101] The retaining mechanism is in the form of a brace member (146) configured to extend between the cradle portion (142) and the cradle mount portion (144) and retain the cradle portion (142) in an extended position relative to the cradle mount portion (144).

[00102] The brace member (146) includes a first end (147) and an opposed second end (148) and extends longitudinally between the opposed ends (147, 148). The brace member (146) is pivotally coupled at the first end (147) to the cradle mount portion (144) and slidably mounted at the second end (148) via a retaining pin (not visible) to a shaped groove or channel

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 (149) extending at least partway along the cradle portion (142) of the hinge mechanism (140).

[00103] The retaining pin (not visible) is slidable within the shaped groove or channel (149) to enable the hinge mechanism (140) to move between the extended position in which the cradle portion (142) extends in a substantially orthogonal orientation relative to the cradle mount portion (144; corresponding to the operable position) and a folded position in which the cradle portion (142) and the cradle mount portion (144) extend in a substantially parallel arrangement relative to one another (corresponding to the stowage position).

[00104] The shaped groove or channel (149) further includes a notch (not visible) at or near an inner end of the groove or channel (149) for at least partially receiving and retaining the retaining pin (not visible) when the hinge mechanism (140) is in the extended position, thereby retaining the cradle (120) in the operable position.

[00105] The release member is in the form of a lever (150) for urging or levering the retaining pin (not visible) out ofthe notch (not visible) to enable the hinge mechanism (140) to pivot and thereby the cradle (120) to be pivotable to the stowage position. The lever (150) is springloaded.

[00106] Figures 5 to 8 show another embodiment of the device (100). For convenience, referred to features of this embodiment that are similar or correspond to features from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 have been referenced with the same reference numerals.

[00107] This embodiment ofthe device (100) differs from the earlier device in that the cradle mount (110) is configured to be mounted to a vertical surface in the form of a wall (700).

[00108] In such embodiments, the cradle mount (110; not visible in Figure 8) is integrally formed with the cradle mount portion (144; not visible in Figure 8) ofthe hinge mechanism (140; not visible in Figure 8), which is directly fastened to the wall (700) by one or more mechanical fasteners.

[00109] Figure 5 shows the device (100) in the operable position.

[00110] Figures 6 and 7 show the device (100) in the stowage position.

[00111] Figure 8 shows the device (100) in use in the operable position supporting a laundry container 900 and a clothes peg container (1000) hanging from a portion of the rail (129) at the outer end (127) of the cradle (120).

[00112] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its

2019100140 11 Feb 2019 derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each ofthe stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[00113] 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, the appearance 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. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[00114] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (5)

1. A foldable support device for supporting a laundry container relative to a vertical surface, said device including:

a support mount mountable to the vertical surface; and a support pivotally coupled to the support mount and pivotable between an operable position in which the support extends outwardly from the vertical surface in a substantially horizontal orientation for supporting the laundry container and a stowage position in which the support extends alongside the vertical surface in a substantially vertical orientation.

2. The support device of claim 1, wherein the vertical support is a wall, post or pole.

3. The support device of claim 1 or claim 2, further including a retaining mechanism for retaining the support in the operable position.

4. The support device of claim 3, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a release mechanism configured to be manually operated by a user for releasing the retaining mechanism and pivoting the support from the operable position to the stowage position.

5. The support device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support includes a base and at least one rail extending around an outer periphery of the base for containing the laundry container atop the support when in the operable position.