DE102020207840A1 - Laundry rack for hanging and drying laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a clothes hanger for hanging and drying clothes.

Description

The present application relates to a laundry holder for hanging and drying laundry.

Various devices for hanging and drying laundry are known from the prior art.

When using a conventional clothes peg, pinching tightly on a delicate item of laundry, such as a slip, can leave permanent pressure marks or damage. The metal spring of the clothes peg, which is often used, represents an additional risk of damage. In order for the laundry to be dried without creasing and as free from creases as possible, it is necessary to fix it at least at two ends with the clothes peg. This means that a larger space is required on the clothesline. For some users (e.g. children, patients or seniors) hanging up the laundry requires considerable effort to open the clothes peg against the tension of the spring, and requires relatively demanding handling and accuracy in order to control the fixation position. Often times, the user's hand or finger can be accidentally trapped when using a clothes peg, which can be uncomfortable and painful. In addition, despite being fastened, the laundry can slip off due to strong wind or rain and fall to the floor. As a result, the laundry is contaminated, damaged or, in the worst case, lost.

When laundry is hung up directly on a clothesline without tools, fold lines are often created by folding laundry in half. In addition, it can happen that the folded, hung up laundry on the inside, where it rests on the clothesline, is dried more slowly than on the outside, as the moisture in the inner half cannot escape. The risk of slipping while drying, e.g. due to wind, is particularly high with small and light items of laundry such as briefs.

the DE 10 2013 005865 B3 discloses a spacer for clotheslines with two spaced apart, open-edged recesses for inserting a clothesline in each case.

the DE 20 2007 004386 U1 discloses a sock clip for fixing a pair of socks consisting of two legs. A clamping device is used to fix the pair of socks by clicking the legs shut. The sock clip is hung on the clothesline. The complex structure of the sock clip can be viewed as disadvantageous from the point of view of manufacture and manageability. It is possible that laundry such as socks can be gently held together, but it is doubtful whether, for example, silk panties can be dried without creasing and damage prevented.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a laundry holder which, in particular, takes into account the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art and which is easy to manufacture and easy to use.

This object is achieved by a laundry holder according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 22. The dependent claims are based on preferred developments.

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a laundry holder with an elongated body, which at a first end has a fastening element for attaching the laundry holder to a first clothes line and at an opposite second end a support surface for placing the clothes holder on a second clothes line, the total length of the Laundry holder is a maximum of 15 cm.

The present invention is based, inter alia, on the idea of simply securing the laundry in a favored position. For this purpose, the clothes holder is first fastened to a first clothes line with the aid of the fastening element. Here, the “fastening element” represents a means with which the clothes holder can be fastened to a first clothes line, which, however, can preferably be released again without great effort and without tools. The opposite end is then raised in order to thread an item of laundry such as a panty on the laundry holder through the annular opening or to insert the second end of the elongated body into the annular opening (eg the panty), and the raised end to the second the first clothesline adjacent clothesline placed on top of this.

The item of laundry then rests only with a layer of laundry on the elongated body at its annular opening and is thus well ventilated from all sides. Furthermore, the elongated body is delimited at both ends of the laundry holder by the clothes lines, so that the laundry items are secured by these against slipping off. There are also no pressure points or creases on the item of laundry. For this purpose, the “bearing surface” and the “surface opposite the bearing surface” are preferably flat and of sufficient size Length formed so that the laundry does not rest on a strongly curved surface (such as a thin clothesline). The support surface is preferably oriented horizontally on the clothes line.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the total length of the laundry holder should be at least 5 cm, preferably at least 6 cm, particularly preferably at least 7 cm. The total length should be longer than the usual distance between two clotheslines. The longer the total length, the more clotheslines with any spacing the clothes holder can be used for. Possible variants of the laundry holder have lengths of 8 cm, 10 cm or 12 cm.

It is also preferred that the laundry holder is asymmetrical, in particular not mirror-symmetrical, with respect to a central plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body and / or is asymmetrical, in particular not mirror-symmetrical, with respect to each central plane running parallel to the support surface of the body.

The fastening element is preferably set up to enable a transverse movement of the laundry rack along the first clothesline when the fastening element is fastened to the first clothesline. The transverse movement along the clothesline is advantageous in handling and positioning the clothes holder. Furthermore, the fastening element is preferably set up to enable a rotary movement of the clothes holder around the first clothesline when the fastening element is fastened to the first clothesline. The rotational movement of the laundry rack around the first clothes line makes it easier to handle when hanging and unhooking the laundry. When the laundry holder is in the placed position, the threaded laundry, e.g. panties, cannot slip off because it is enclosed on both sides.

According to a preferred embodiment, the fastening element is suitable for, preferably tool-free, detachable fastening of the clothes holder to a first clothesline, a minimum force preferably being required to release the fastening, the minimum force preferably at least 0.3 N, more preferably at least 0.6 N and is particularly preferably at least 1N. This is to ensure that the laundry can only be removed with ease if the user acts deliberately. The fastening element can be based on different principles such as force-fit or form-fit connection, as long as the above requirements are met.

The fastening element preferably forms a passage opening for the first clothesline, the passage opening having a lateral access and being designed in such a way that the first clothesline can be introduced laterally into the passage opening. In this design variant, the laundry rack can be attached to the clothesline without any effort.

It is further preferred that the fastening element has one or a combination of the following elements: fastening clips, spring clips, lobster clasps, Velcro fasteners. These embodiments are exemplary of the fact that the fastening between the clothes holder and the clothesline is easy to operate and, if necessary, detachable.

A surface of the body opposite the support surface is preferably non-slip, at least in sections, preferably with a mean roughness value Ra greater than 3 μm. This is to prevent the threaded laundry from slipping and crumpling up so that it can dry without creasing.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of a contiguous surface opposite the support surface is planar. The flat surface is advantageous when drying the laundry, as the laundry can be hung on as large an area as possible and thus fewer wrinkles occur.

A surface of the body opposite the support surface preferably has one or a combination of the following structures: unevenness, haptic marks, walls, columns, steps, recesses, grooves, grooves. These embodiments are examples of how slipping on the surface of the laundry holder can be prevented in order to reduce creases that occur when the clothes slide together.

The width of the bearing surface is preferably greater than the thickness of the bearing surface, the width of the bearing surface preferably being at least a factor of 1.5, more preferably a factor of 2, greater than the thickness of the bearing surface. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support surface is at least 3 cm long, preferably at least 4 cm, and particularly preferably at least 5 cm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the laundry holder is made in one piece. It is also preferred that the laundry holder consists of an elastic material, preferably a polymer. Furthermore, for one according to the invention Laundry holder preferably that the body has a flexural strength of a maximum of 20 MPa, preferably less than 15 MPa. The flexural strength can be determined, among other things, in a three-point flexure test. Furthermore, the laundry holder is preferably an injection molded part or an additively manufactured component. In particular in the case of a one-piece polymer from an injection molding process, an inexpensive laundry holder can be produced. A material called Santoprene ™ 103-40, among other things, is well suited for use as a laundry holder.

The laundry holder is used in an arrangement or in a set as described below. The arrangement has at least two clotheslines running in parallel and at least one clothes holder as described above, the first end of the at least one clothes holder being attached to a first clothes line and the second end of the at least one clothes holder resting on a second clothes line.

The set with a clothes horse can have at least two clotheslines running in parallel with a first distance from one another and at least one clothes holder as described above. The total length of the laundry holder is preferably greater than the first distance.

The method for drying an item of laundry with at least one ring-shaped structure has the following steps. First, an arrangement of at least two clotheslines running in parallel and at least one clothes holder is provided as described above. The fastening element of the clothes rack is fastened to one of the clotheslines. The ring-shaped structure of an item of laundry is then guided over the elongated body of the laundry holder and the support surface of the laundry holder is placed on a second clothes line. This ensures that the laundry is dried simply, space-saving, non-slip and, if possible, without creasing or damage.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Wäschehalters;
• 2 eine Seitenansicht des Wäschehalters gemäß 1;
• 3 eine Ansicht des Wäschehalters gemäß 1 von unten;
• 4a eine Draufsicht auf eine der Auflagefläche gegenüberliegende Oberfläche mit haptische Marken einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Wäschehalters;
• 4b eine Seitenansicht auf eine der Auflagefläche gegenüberliegende Oberfläche mit Säulen einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Wäschehalters;
• 4c eine Seitenansicht auf eine der Auflagefläche gegenüberliegende Oberfläche mit Nuten einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Wäschehalters; und
• 5 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf den Wäschehalter gemäß 1 im befestigten und aufgelegten Zustand an zwei Wäscheleinen;

Further preferred features are described in more detail below in the context of particularly preferred embodiments with reference to the figures. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the laundry holder according to the invention;
• 2 a side view of the laundry holder according to 1 ;
• 3 a view of the laundry holder according to 1 from underneath;
• 4a a plan view of a surface opposite the support surface with haptic marks of a further preferred embodiment of the laundry holder according to the invention;
• 4b a side view of a surface opposite the support surface with columns of a further preferred embodiment of the laundry holder according to the invention;
• 4c a side view of a surface opposite the support surface with grooves of a further preferred embodiment of the laundry holder according to the invention; and
• 5 a perspective view of the laundry holder according to 1 when attached and laid on two clotheslines;

In the 1 until 3 a particularly preferred embodiment of the laundry holder according to the invention for hanging and drying laundry is shown.

1 shows a laundry holder according to the invention in a perspective view 1 with a fastener 20th at a first end and a support surface 30th at an opposite two end. Preferably, the body consists of a one-piece polymer, as in FIG 1 is made clear.

As in the 1 , 2 and 3 good to see is the fastener 20th designed so that the first clothesline goes through the opening 21 with side access can be locked in place without any effort. Alternatively, the fastening element 20th be replaced.

Both the support surface 30th as well as the surface opposite the support surface 40 are preferably to be designed in a plan (cf. 2 ), so that the laundry does not slip off and a crease does not arise due to excessive curvature during drying.

In addition, the surface 40 have different structures, as in the 4a-4c shown schematically, which can contribute to the slip resistance of the hung laundry.

the 5 FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the laundry rack according to FIG 1 during use, the fastener 20th of the laundry rack 1 on the first clothesline 50 is attached and the second end 30th of the laundry rack 1 on the second clothesline 60 is hung up. The marked arrows of the 5 show the possible transversal (T) and rotational (R) movement of the laundry holder 1 along the clothesline 50 or around the clothesline 50 .

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• DE 102013005865 B3 [0005]
• DE 202007004386 U1 [0006]

Claims (22)

Laundry holder with an elongated body, which at a first end has a fastening element for attaching the laundry holder to a first clothes line and at an opposite second end a support surface for placing the clothes holder on a second clothes line, the total length of the clothes holder being a maximum of 15 cm. Laundry rack after Claim 1 , the total length of the laundry holder being at least 5 cm, preferably at least 6 cm, particularly preferably at least 7 cm. Laundry rack after Claim 1 or 2 wherein the laundry holder is asymmetrical, in particular not mirror-symmetrical, with respect to a center plane running perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, the laundry holder being asymmetrical, in particular not mirror-symmetrical, with respect to each central plane running parallel to the support surface of the body. The laundry holder according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element is configured to enable a transverse movement of the laundry holder along the first clothesline when the fastening element is fastened to the first clothesline. The laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element is configured to enable a rotational movement of the laundry holder around the first clothes line when the fastening element is fastened to the first clothes line. Laundry rack according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element is suitable for, preferably tool-free, releasable attachment of the laundry rack to a first clothes line, wherein a minimum force is preferably required to release the attachment, the minimum force preferably at least 0.3 N, more preferably at least 0.6N and particularly preferably at least 1N. Laundry rack according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element forms a through opening for the first clothes line, wherein the through opening has a lateral access and is designed such that the first clothes line can be introduced laterally into the through opening. The laundry rack according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening element comprises one or a combination of the following elements: Closure clips, spring clip, lobster clasp, Velcro fastener. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface of the body opposite the support surface is, at least in sections, non-slip, preferably with a mean roughness value R _a greater than 3 µm. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, of a contiguous surface opposite the support surface is planar. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a surface of the body opposite the support surface has one or a combination of the following structures: unevenness, haptic marks, walls, columns, steps, recesses, grooves, grooves. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the bearing surface is greater than the thickness of the bearing surface, the width of the bearing surface preferably being at least a factor of 1.5, more preferably by a factor of 2, greater than the thickness of the bearing surface. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, the support surface having a length of at least 3 cm, preferably at least 4 cm, and particularly preferably at least 5 cm. The laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laundry holder is constructed in one piece. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laundry holder consists of an elastic material, preferably of a polymer. Laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body has a flexural strength of at most 20 MPa, preferably less than 15 MPa. The laundry holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the laundry holder is an injection-molded part or an additively manufactured component. Arrangement of at least two clotheslines running in parallel and at least one clothes holder according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first end of the at least one Clothes holder is attached to a first clothes line and the second end of the at least one clothes holder rests on a second clothes line. Set with a clothes horse with at least two clotheslines running in parallel with a first distance from one another and at least one clothes holder according to one of the preceding claims. Set after Claim 20 , wherein the total length of the laundry holder is greater than the first distance. Method for drying an item of laundry with at least one ring-shaped structure, comprising the following steps: providing an arrangement of at least two clotheslines running in parallel and at least one laundry holder according to one of the Claims 1 until 18th ; Attaching the fastening element of the clothes rack to one of the clotheslines; Inserting the annular structure of an item of laundry into a portion of the laundry holder; and placing the support surface of the laundry holder on a second clothes line.

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