AU2021206786A1 - Height-adjustable Clothes Airer - Google Patents

Abstract

ll:\jvs\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\IVS\13181780 _.doc-9/07/2021 Abstract A height-adjustable clothes airer, comprising an elongate member; a pair of crossed struts having respective opposing ends coupled to the member so as to provide a support stand, 5 wherein at least one of the opposing ends is configured to be slideably moveable along a length portion of the member such that relative movement of the opposing ends along the member effects the height of the stand. 1/9 100 120 150 210 140 320 124 152 122 212 220 230 222 154 234 32 236 240 250 250 252 252 FIG. 1

Description

1/9

100 120 150 210

140 320

124

152 122

212

220 230 222 154

234

32

236 240

250 250

252 252

FIG. 1

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Height-adjustable Clothes Airer

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a clothes airer, and, in particular, a portable clothes airer that is height adjustable.

Background

Conventional portable clothes airers are typically in the form of a rack airer, which is provided with a drying rack supported by legs fixed to each end of the rack. Such airers can be configured between a deployed state in which the rack is opened in a rigid position for hanging garments and a retracted state in which the rack and its legs are folded away for storage.

A drawback with such conventional clothes airers is that they typically have only one or two deployable positions and are not easily height adjustable to suit the environment in which it is deployed or the size of garments to be aired.

The applicant has determined that it would be advantageous to provide a height adjustable clothes airer which, in its preferred embodiments, seeks to at least in part alleviate the above-identified problems or to offer the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a height-adjustable clothes airer, comprising: an elongate member; a pair of crossed struts having respective opposing ends coupled to the member so as to provide a support stand, wherein at least one of the opposing ends is configured to be slideably moveable along a length portion of the member such that relative movement of the opposing ends along the member effects the height of the stand.

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Preferably, one of the opposing ends is pivotably coupled to a fixed location along a length portion of the elongate member.

Alternatively, both of the opposing ends are configured to be slideably moveable along a length portion of the elongate member.

Preferably, the or each slideably moveable opposing end is provided with a locking mechanism for selectively engaging corresponding lock receiving formations spaced along the length portion of the elongate member so as to immovably secure the or each slideably moveable opposing end to the member.

Preferably, the locking mechanism is a pin for engaging corresponding openings spaced along the length portion of the elongate member.

Preferably, the height-adjustable clothes airer further comprises a handle which couples the slideably moveable opposing end to the length portion of the elongate member, the handle comprising a trigger actuatable by a user for engaging or disengaging the locking mechanism relative to the corresponding lock receiving formations.

Preferably, the elongate member comprises a stop member located proximate the centre of its length so as to limit the movement range of the or each slideably moveable opposing end along the member.

Preferably, relative movement of the opposing ends along the elongate member causes the height of the stand to be varied between a fully deployed state, in which the opposing ends are moved closest to each other, a retracted state, in which the opposing ends are moved furthest from each other, and intermediate deployed states, in which the opposing ends are positioned in between the fully deployed state and the retracted state.

Preferably, the pair of crossed struts is pivotably connected along their lengths so that the

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support stand is substantially level.

Preferably, at least one of the struts comprises a pair of splayed legs.

Preferably, the strut comprises a joint which connects a first length portion of the strut to the pair of splayed legs.

Preferably, the first length portion comprises two connected parallel beams.

Preferably, the joint is a die-cast joint configured in the form of a wishbone.

Preferably, at least one of the struts comprises a foot portion for contacting a ground surface during use.

Alternatively, the foot portion comprises a caster wheel.

Preferably, the foot portion comprises an eye for receiving a peg for securing the foot portion to the ground.

Preferably, the height-adjustable clothes airer further comprises two parallel arms for supporting clotheslines, each arm being coupled substantially perpendicular to the elongate member at a respective end of the member.

Preferably, the elongate member is in the form of a beam.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts for a height-adjustable clothes airer comprising an elongate member and a pair of crossed struts as described previously.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of adjusting the height of a clothes airer as described above, the method comprises the steps

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of: (i) actuating the trigger on the handle to disengage the locking mechanism relative to the locking receiving formations of the elongate member; (ii) sliding the handle along the elongate member to adjust the relative distance between the opposing ends of the crossed struts, thereby adjusting the height of the support stand; and (iii) actuating or releasing the trigger to engage the locking mechanism at a corresponding lock receiving formation to secure the support stand at the desired height.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description.

While components of the height-adjustable clothes airer will be described below for use in combination with each other in the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood by a skilled person that some aspects of the present invention are equally suitable to be used interchangeably between one or more embodiments of the present invention and/or suitable for use as standalone inventions that can be individually incorporated into other clothes airers not described herein.

Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a height-adjustable clothes airer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the clothes airer in a fully deployed state; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in a partially deployed state; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in a retracted state; Figure 4 is a front view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in a deployed state; Figure 5 is a side view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in a deployed state; Figure 6 is a plan view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in a deployed state;

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Figure 7 is a plan view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in the retracted state; Figure 8 is a front view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in a retracted state; Figure 9 is a side view of the clothes airer of Figure 1 in a retracted state; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a wishbone joint of a strut of the clothes airer of Figure 1; Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a slideably adjustable handle of the clothes airer of Figure 1; Figure 12 is a front view of the adjustable handle of the clothes airer of Figure 1; Figure 13 is a sectional view of the adjustable handle of Figure 12; Figure 14 show perspective views of wheel attachments of the clothes airer of Figure 1; and Figure 15 is a perspective view of a foot portion of the clothes airer of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 to 9 show a height-adjustable clothes airer 100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention being deployed in two different height configurations and a compact retracted configuration. The clothes airer 100 comprising an elongated member 120 and a pair of crossed struts 200 coupled to the member 120 so as to provide a support stand for the clothes airer. The crossed struts 200 may be pivotably connected with each other along their respective lengths 212, 222 so that the elongate member 120 supported by the support stand is substantially level during use. It is to be understood that each of the struts may comprise one or multiple lengths joined together, with each strut having a foot portion 214, 224 and a connecting end 210, 220 for coupling with the elongate member 120.

The pair of crossed struts 200 comprises respective opposing ends 210, 220 which are coupled to the elongate member 120. At least one of the opposing ends 210, 220 is configured to be slideably moveable along a length portion of the elongate member 120 such that relative movement of the opposing ends 210, 220 along the member 120 effects the height of the stand created by the crossed struts. As the opposing ends 210, 220 move

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closer to each other, the distance between the feet portions 214, 224 of the struts 200 reduce and therefore the height of the stand would be closer to the effective length of the struts 200, whereas when the opposing ends 210, 220 move further apart, the distance between the feet portions 214, 224 of the struts 200 would increase, therefore effectively lowering the height of the stand. Relative movement of the opposing ends 210, 220 along the elongate member 120 causes the height of the stand to be varied between a fully deployed state, in which the opposing ends are moved closest to each other, a retracted state, in which the opposing ends 210, 220 are moved furthest from each other, and intermediate deployed states, in which the opposing ends 210, 220 are positioned in between the fully deployed state and the retracted state.

In the preferred embodiment, one of the opposing ends (210 or 220) is pivotably coupled to the elongate member 120 at a fixed pivot joint 122 so that one of the opposing ends (210 or 220) is substantially fixed in position relative to the elongate member 120. In this configuration, the height of the clothes airer 100 can be adjusted by slideably adjusting the free moving opposing end (210 or 220) relative to the pivotally fixed opposing end (210 or 220) along the length of the elongate member 120. In an alternative embodiment, both of the opposing ends are configured to be slideably moveable along the length of the elongate member 120 (embodiment not shown).

The (or each) slideably moveable opposing end 210, 220 is provided with a locking mechanism 310 for selectively engaging and locking onto the elongate member 120 so as to immovably secure the slideably moveable opposing end 210, 220 to the elongate member 120 to provide a stable base structure for the clothes airer 100. The locking mechanism 310 is designed for selectively engaging corresponding lock receiving formations 124 along the length of the elongate member 120, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is in the form of a pin 312 for engaging correspondingly-sized openings 124 spaced along the length of the elongate member at intervals corresponding to desired height configurations of the clothes airer. Advantageously, the clothes airer of the prevent invention may have multiple height intervals by having multiple receiving formations 124 for engaging the locking

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mechanism 310.

It is to be understood that other locking mechanisms may also be suitable, such as a rack and pinion drive, for slideably adjusting the opposing end 210, 220 along the elongate member without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to Figures 11 to 13, it is preferred to have a handle 320 so configured that it not only connects the elongate member 120 and the opposing end 210, 220 of the strut 200 but also configured to be actuatable for engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism 310 relative to the lock receiving formations 124. In the preferred embodiment, the airer 100 comprises a handle 320 having a handle housing 322 that is dimensioned to securely slide over the elongate member 120, and a handle-strut coupling portion 324 extending from the handle housing 322 for coupling with the opposing end 210, 220 by a handle-strut fastener 326. Movement of the handle 320 along the elongate member 120 is translated to movement of the strut 200 and effects the height of the support stand. The handle 320 further houses the locking mechanism 310 such as a pin 312 for engaging the lock receiving formations 124 along the elongate member 120. The locking mechanism is linked to a trigger 330 which can be easily accessed by a user for engaging and disengaging the locking mechanism 310. In one example, the trigger 330 is in the form of a depressible button linked to a biasing element such as a coil spring for biasing the trigger so as to keep the pin 310 engaged. The button is configured so that it raises the pin 310 once depressed so that the pin 310 is no longer engaged with an opening 124 of the elongate member 120 so that the handle 320 becomes free to move slideably along the length of the elongate member 120. Once the handle 320 is moved over another opening 124 corresponding to a desired height of the stand, the trigger 330 of the handle 320 can be released to lower the pin 310 through the appropriate opening 124 and prevent further translational movement of the handle 320 relative to the elongate member 120. In some configurations, an end of the pin 310 may be provided with a damping material to reduce wear and damage to the elongate member during use.

Returning to Figure 4, in one embodiment, the elongate member 120 is provided with a

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stop member 140 located proximate a centre point of the elongate member 120 so as to limit the movement range of the handle 320 (and by extension, the slideably movable opposing end 210, 220) along the elongate member 120. This allows the user to easily adjust the height of the stand of the clothes airer 100 without worrying about the stand becoming unstable or reaching a position between the opposing ends 210, 200 that would cause the clothes airer to topple over. It is to be appreciated that the position of the stop member 140 does not have to be at a midway point of the elongate member 120 and appropriate locations would also depend on the relative configuration of the crossed struts 200. The stop member 140 also serves as a grip for handling the clothes airer. Relative movement of the opposing ends 210, 220 along the elongate member 120 causes the height of the stand to be varied between a fully deployed state, in which the opposing ends are moved closest to each other, a retracted state, in which the opposing ends 210, 220 are moved furthest from each other, and intermediate deployed states, in which the opposing ends 210, 220 are positioned in between the fully deployed state and the retracted state.

Referring to Figure 10, the strut 200 may comprise multiple lengths connected by way of a strut joint 232. In the preferred embodiment, one of the crossed struts 200 comprises two connected parallel beams, which make up a first length portion 222 of the strut 200, and a pair of splayed legs 240 for improved stability and weight distribution for supporting the clothes airer 100. The first length portion 222 and the splayed legs 240 is connected by the strut joint 232 as shown in Figure 10. In the preferred embodiment, the strut joint 232 is a die-cast joint configured in the form of a wishbone for connecting the four length portions of the strut 200 together with fasteners 234. The wishbone structure can also be considered a double wishbone as it connects two parallel length portions 222 of the strut with two splayed legs 240, resulting in a very strong joint when each of the connection points are secured with fasteners 234. This advantageously allow the strut lengths to be shipped in a disassembled manner in a flat pack which leads to significant cost saving from improved logistic efficiencies. The splayed legs 240 can be provided with a reinforcing member 236 for improved structural integrity during use.

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As seen in Figures 4 and 8, the cross strut members 200 are shown to have an arcuate profile in the assembled side views. It is to be understood that the struts 200 may be configured with other profiles without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to Figures 14 and 15, the ground-contacting portions of the struts 200 may be configured with foot portions 214, 224. In some configurations, the foot portion comprises a wheel attachment 250 for housing a caster wheel 252. In the preferred embodiment, one strut comprises a pair of splayed legs 240 that is provided with foot portions 214, 224 for contacting the ground surface, while the other strut comprises a pair of splayed legs 240 that is provided with wheel attachments 250 with caster wheels 252 for enhanced portability and manoeuvrability. Additionally, at least one of the foot portions 214, 224 or wheel attachments 250 is provided with a bridge member 260 which defines an eye 262 for receiving a peg for securing the strut 200 to the ground.

The elongated member 120 supports parallel arms 150 for pulling clotheslines 152, and while the member 120 has been shown in the Figures to be in the form of a beam, other shapes or configuration of the member 120 such as curved beams may also be used without departing from the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the parallel arms 150 are attached to respective ends 130 of the elongate member and secured thereto in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the elongate member 120 by a T-joint 154. The joint 154 can be in the form of a glass-filled nylon T-joint.

In use, a user may operate the height-adjustable clothes airer of the prevent invention by performing the following steps: (i) actuating the trigger on the handle to disengage the locking mechanism relative to the locking receiving formations of the elongate member; (ii) sliding the handle along the elongate member to adjust the relative distance between the opposing ends of the crossed struts, thereby adjusting the height of the support stand; and (iii) actuating or releasing the trigger to engage the locking mechanism at a corresponding lock receiving formation to secure the support stand at the

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desired height.

In the description and drawings of this embodiment, same reference numerals are used as have been used in respect of the first embodiment, to denote and refer to corresponding features.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Reference numerals

100 height adjustable clothes airer 120 elongate member 122 pivot joint 124 lock receiving formations 130 respective ends of the elongate member 140 stop member 150 parallel arm 152 clothesline 154 T-joint 200 crossed struts 210, 220 opposing ends ll:\jvs\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\IVS\13181780 I.doc-9/07/2021

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212, 222 length portion 214, 224 foot potion 230 pivot joint 232 strut joint 234 strut joint fastener 236 reinforcing member 240 splayed legs 250 wheel attachment housing 252 caster wheel 254 wheel attachment fastener 260 bridge member 262 eye 310 locking mechanism 312 pin 320 slideably adjustable handle 322 handle housing 324 handle-strut coupling portion 326 handle-strut fastener 330 trigger

Claims (20)

H:\jvs\Interwoven\NRPortbl\DCC\VS\13181780 _.doc-9/07/2021 - 12 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A height-adjustable clothes airer, comprising: an elongate member; a pair of crossed struts having respective opposing ends coupled to the member so as to provide a support stand, wherein at least one of the opposing ends is configured to be slideably moveable along a length portion of the member such that relative movement of the opposing ends along the member effects the height of the stand.

2. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claim 1, wherein one of the opposing ends is pivotably coupled to a fixed location along a length portion of the elongate member.

3. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claim 1, wherein both of the opposing ends are configured to be slideably moveable along a length portion of the elongate member.

4. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each slideably moveable opposing end is provided with a locking mechanism for selectively engaging corresponding lock receiving formations spaced along the length portion of the elongate member so as to immovably secure the or each slideably moveable opposing end to the member.

5. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism is a pin for engaging corresponding openings spaced along the length portion of the elongate member.

6. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claims 4 or 5, further comprising a handle which couples the slideably moveable opposing end to the length portion of the elongate member, the handle comprising a trigger actuatable by a user for engaging or disengaging the locking mechanism relative to the corresponding lock receiving

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formations.

7. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member comprises a stop member located proximate the centre of its length so as to limit the movement range of the or each slideably moveable opposing end along the member.

8. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein relative movement of the opposing ends along the elongate member causes the height of the stand to be varied between a fully deployed state, in which the opposing ends are moved closest to each other, a retracted state, in which the opposing ends are moved furthest from each other, and intermediate deployed states, in which the opposing ends are positioned in between the fully deployed state and the retracted state.

9. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pair of crossed struts is pivotably connected along their lengths so that the support stand is substantially level.

10. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the struts comprises a pair of splayed legs.

11. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claim 10, wherein the strut comprises a joint which connects a first length portion of the strut to the pair of splayed legs.

12. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claim 11, wherein the first length portion comprises two connected parallel beams.

13. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claim 12, wherein the joint is a die cast joint configured in the form of a wishbone.

14. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein

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at least one of the struts comprises a foot portion for contacting a ground surface during use.

15. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claim 14, wherein the foot portion comprises a caster wheel.

16. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to claims 13 or 14, wherein the foot portion comprises an eye for receiving a peg for securing the foot portion to the ground.

17. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising two parallel arms for supporting clotheslines, each arm being coupled substantially perpendicular to the elongate member at a respective end of the member.

18. A height-adjustable clothes airer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member is in the form of a beam.

19. A kit of parts for a height-adjustable clothes airer, comprising an elongate member and a pair of crossed struts according to any one of the preceding claims.

20. A method of adjusting the height of a clothes airer according to any one of claims 6 to 18, the method comprises the steps of: (i) actuating the trigger on the handle to disengage the locking mechanism relative to the locking receiving formations of the elongate member; (ii) sliding the handle along the elongate member to adjust the relative distance between the opposing ends of the crossed struts, thereby adjusting the height of the support stand; and (iii) actuating or releasing the trigger to engage the locking mechanism at a corresponding lock receiving formation to secure the support stand at the desired height.