EP0445082B1 - Connection for foldable tubular members - Google Patents
Connection for foldable tubular members Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0445082B1 EP0445082B1 EP91830031A EP91830031A EP0445082B1 EP 0445082 B1 EP0445082 B1 EP 0445082B1 EP 91830031 A EP91830031 A EP 91830031A EP 91830031 A EP91830031 A EP 91830031A EP 0445082 B1 EP0445082 B1 EP 0445082B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- joint
- channel
- hole
- open
- clothes
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F57/00—Supporting means, other than simple clothes-lines, for linen or garments to be dried or aired
- D06F57/08—Folding stands
Definitions
- the present invention generally relates to a joint for connecting tubular members designed to be folded one on the other, and more particularly a joint suitable for connecting tubes which form the folding legs of a space-saving clothes-horse.
- Patent FR-A-2 511 403 (on which the preamble of claim 1 is based) discloses a folding removable clothes airer comprising a vertical frame and tilting grids with a soil spike.
- the soil spike comprises the bottom ends of the vertical support connected with parallel crosspieces and a secondary U-shaped frame arranged crosswise with respect to said crosspieces.
- the secondary frame rotates around a vertically articulating axis, and a locking device positions the secondary frame at a right angle with respect to the vertical frame crosspieces so as to keep the airer in the drying position.
- the locking device of the secondary frame is in the shape of dual pliers forming two overlapped and perpendicularly arranged fixed-forks, with one fork being integral with a crosspiece of the vertical frame, and the other being designed to receive a crosspiece of the secondary revolving frame.
- the vertical articulating axis passes through the crosspieces involved in the locking device.
- Clothes-horses with a grid and possible extension grids held by two pairs of crossed legs which are pivoted to each other and in which the legs of a first pair have a central articulation which allows for them to fold so as to close the clothes-horse, are already know.
- said clothes-horses the folding of the legs with central articulation and subsequent accidental closure of the clothes-horse are possible in the case of knocks or incorrect movements.
- An uncontrolled closure of the clothes-horse can however be dangerous for people, especially children and it is therefore strongly advisable not to use.
- the locking device of the clothes-airer disclosed by the above FR-A-2 511 403 patent is not suitable for use with clothes airers on stand, in which the two tubes of the folding legs must be locked in line, and not crosswise, and then folded one on top of the other while keeping them connected to their ends.
- the object of the present invention is to propose a joint for connecting two foldable elements, one on top of the other, such as the tubular members which form the folding legs of a clothes- horse.
- the joint has safety means which block the elements connected to each other in an open position, that is to say aligned to each other.
- a second object of this invention is to propose a joint made as a single piece advantageously achieved through moulding and with a new configuration which allows it to be easily fitted onto the elements to be connected.
- a further object of the invention is to propose a joint made as a single piece which contemporarily connects the two folding elements and automatically blocks the elements so as to avoid an accidental folding when they are aligned to each other.
- the joint in question is made of a single piece (10) with a part which delimits a hole (11) open towards an end of the body and a U-shaped part which delimits a channel (12) open on one side of said body.
- protruding parts (12b) pointing towards the centre and designed to reduce the opening of the channel (12) are formed (Fig. 3).
- the above described joint is used to connect two tubes (13, 14) which are foldable on top of each other due to the rotation of one of them.
- Said tubular elements (13, 14) can be made up of the two tubes which form the foldable legs (15) of a clothes-horse (16) like the one in Fig. 4 of the drawing.
- the joint is fitted to the two tubular elements (13,14) to be connected by forcing, and/or through the use of adhesive, and/or with a pin, an end of the lower element (13) into the hole (11) of the body (10) and by pivoting the lower end of the upper element (14) into the channel (12) through the use of a tranversal pin (14a).
- the joint is rigidly constrained to the lower element (13) whilst the upper element (14) is foldable on the first so as to rotate round the relative pin (14a).
- the element (14) is then forced to clip into the channel (12) through a tight opening of the protruding parts (12b), making use of the elasticity of the tabs (12a) which define the hole itself.
- the element is then blocked into the hole and is therefore in position due to said protruding parts (12b) (Fig 3) which prevent the folding of the elements and therefore the accidental closing of a clothes-horse with folding legs.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention generally relates to a joint for connecting tubular members designed to be folded one on the other, and more particularly a joint suitable for connecting tubes which form the folding legs of a space-saving clothes-horse.
- Patent FR-A-2 511 403 (on which the preamble of claim 1 is based) discloses a folding removable clothes airer comprising a vertical frame and tilting grids with a soil spike. The soil spike comprises the bottom ends of the vertical support connected with parallel crosspieces and a secondary U-shaped frame arranged crosswise with respect to said crosspieces. The secondary frame rotates around a vertically articulating axis, and a locking device positions the secondary frame at a right angle with respect to the vertical frame crosspieces so as to keep the airer in the drying position.
- The locking device of the secondary frame is in the shape of dual pliers forming two overlapped and perpendicularly arranged fixed-forks, with one fork being integral with a crosspiece of the vertical frame, and the other being designed to receive a crosspiece of the secondary revolving frame. The vertical articulating axis passes through the crosspieces involved in the locking device.
- Clothes-horses with a grid and possible extension grids held by two pairs of crossed legs which are pivoted to each other and in which the legs of a first pair have a central articulation which allows for them to fold so as to close the clothes-horse, are already know. In said clothes-horses, the folding of the legs with central articulation and subsequent accidental closure of the clothes-horse are possible in the case of knocks or incorrect movements. An uncontrolled closure of the clothes-horse can however be dangerous for people, especially children and it is therefore strongly advisable not to use.
- For this reason, a way of blocking the articulation with the legs open has already been proposed. This method though requires the fitting of an extra element that interacts with the joint which connects the folding elements.
- On the other hand, the locking device of the clothes-airer disclosed by the above FR-A-2 511 403 patent is not suitable for use with clothes airers on stand, in which the two tubes of the folding legs must be locked in line, and not crosswise, and then folded one on top of the other while keeping them connected to their ends.
- The object of the present invention is to propose a joint for connecting two foldable elements, one on top of the other, such as the tubular members which form the folding legs of a clothes- horse. The joint has safety means which block the elements connected to each other in an open position, that is to say aligned to each other.
- A second object of this invention is to propose a joint made as a single piece advantageously achieved through moulding and with a new configuration which allows it to be easily fitted onto the elements to be connected.
- A further object of the invention is to propose a joint made as a single piece which contemporarily connects the two folding elements and automatically blocks the elements so as to avoid an accidental folding when they are aligned to each other.
- Said aims are achieved with a joint which is in accordance with claim 1.
- An example of realization of the joint will however be described with references to the attached drawing in which:
- Fig. 1
- is a perspective view of the joint;
- Fig. 2
- is the joint connecting two elements;
- Fig. 3
- is a cross section of the joint in the blocking position ; and
- Fig. 4
- is a clothes-horse with a pair of legs which can be folded due to the joint which is in accordance with the invention.
- The joint in question is made of a single piece (10) with a part which delimits a hole (11) open towards an end of the body and a U-shaped part which delimits a channel (12) open on one side of said body. On the inside of the facing tabs (12a) of the U-shaped part, protruding parts (12b) pointing towards the centre and designed to reduce the opening of the channel (12) are formed (Fig. 3).
- The above described joint is used to connect two tubes (13, 14) which are foldable on top of each other due to the rotation of one of them. Said tubular elements (13, 14) can be made up of the two tubes which form the foldable legs (15) of a clothes-horse (16) like the one in Fig. 4 of the drawing.
- The joint is fitted to the two tubular elements (13,14) to be connected by forcing, and/or through the use of adhesive, and/or with a pin, an end of the lower element (13) into the hole (11) of the body (10) and by pivoting the lower end of the upper element (14) into the channel (12) through the use of a tranversal pin (14a). In this way the joint is rigidly constrained to the lower element (13) whilst the upper element (14) is foldable on the first so as to rotate round the relative pin (14a). When the two elements (13, 14) have to be opened, in other words aligned, the upper element is rotated until it is blocked into the channel (12) of the joint.
- The element (14) is then forced to clip into the channel (12) through a tight opening of the protruding parts (12b), making use of the elasticity of the tabs (12a) which define the hole itself. The element is then blocked into the hole and is therefore in position due to said protruding parts (12b) (Fig 3) which prevent the folding of the elements and therefore the accidental closing of a clothes-horse with folding legs.
Claims (2)
- A joint for connecting two tubes which fold one on the other, in particular for connecting tubes which form the folding legs of a space-saving clothes-horse, where the joint is formed of a body (10) having:- a part with a hole (11) open at least towards one end of the body:- a U-shaped part whith facing tabs (12a) delimiting a channel (12) which is open on one side of said body: and- protuding parts (12b) at the inside of the facing tabs (12a) of said channel (12) formed so as to tighten the opening of said channel (12),characterized in that said hole (11) open at least twards one ende of said body (10) is designed to hold the upper end of a first lower element (13) to be joined to a second upper element (14), and in that the lower end of said second upper element (14) is pivoted into the channel (12) of said U-shaped part through the use of a transversal pin (14a), said second element (14) being blocked in place into the channel (12) when it is aligned to the first element (13).
- A joint as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said body (10) is made of plastic; the end of the first element (13) to be connected is fitted and blocked by pressure and/or with adhesive in said hole (11); the facing tabs (12a) (12a) which delimit the channel (12) are elastic so as to allow for a blocking and unblocking of the second element (14).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT693590U | 1990-02-26 | ||
IT6935U IT221220Z2 (it) | 1990-02-26 | 1990-02-26 | Giunto per il collegamento di due elementi tubolari ripiegabili l'unosull'altro |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0445082A2 EP0445082A2 (en) | 1991-09-04 |
EP0445082A3 EP0445082A3 (en) | 1992-01-22 |
EP0445082B1 true EP0445082B1 (en) | 1995-09-06 |
Family
ID=11122501
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP91830031A Expired - Lifetime EP0445082B1 (en) | 1990-02-26 | 1991-02-04 | Connection for foldable tubular members |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0445082B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE127545T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69112673T2 (en) |
IT (1) | IT221220Z2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10202519C1 (en) * | 2002-01-23 | 2003-07-03 | Ps Power Service Ag Pfaeffikon | Folding stand used to dry washing, includes main- and extension grids, with hinged joints, guides, supports and stops, which facilitate opening, use and closure |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE59300187D1 (en) * | 1993-02-05 | 1995-06-14 | Leifheit Ag | Collapsible drying rack. |
EP1008686A1 (en) * | 1998-11-24 | 2000-06-14 | Zumbühl & Co. Handelsagentur | Clothes drying rack |
GR1007134B (en) * | 2006-12-05 | 2011-01-10 | Ευαγγελος Αντωνιου Συλιβος | Promptly assembled clothes-horse by plastic connectors with sleeves of rotating connection of the metal pipes. |
EP3202971B1 (en) * | 2016-02-04 | 2018-10-03 | Rörets Industrier AB | Foldable clothes care product |
GB2618417A (en) * | 2023-03-01 | 2023-11-08 | Metaltex Spa | Clotheshorse with improved load capacity |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB858835A (en) * | 1958-06-11 | 1961-01-18 | Aubrey George Carroll | Improvements in domestic clothes drying apparatus |
FR2511403A2 (en) * | 1981-08-13 | 1983-02-18 | Chapuit Jacques | Clothes drier stand with supporting cross bar - having common pivot and position locking clamp |
DE8905090U1 (en) * | 1989-04-22 | 1989-08-10 | Frz Metallwarenfabrik Friedrich Ruschitzka, 6921 Zuzenhausen, De |
-
1990
- 1990-02-26 IT IT6935U patent/IT221220Z2/it active IP Right Grant
-
1991
- 1991-02-04 DE DE69112673T patent/DE69112673T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-02-04 EP EP91830031A patent/EP0445082B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-02-04 AT AT91830031T patent/ATE127545T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10202519C1 (en) * | 2002-01-23 | 2003-07-03 | Ps Power Service Ag Pfaeffikon | Folding stand used to dry washing, includes main- and extension grids, with hinged joints, guides, supports and stops, which facilitate opening, use and closure |
DE10202519B9 (en) * | 2002-01-23 | 2005-05-19 | Ps Power Service Ag | Collapsible clotheshorse |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ATE127545T1 (en) | 1995-09-15 |
IT9006935U1 (en) | 1991-08-27 |
EP0445082A2 (en) | 1991-09-04 |
EP0445082A3 (en) | 1992-01-22 |
IT221220Z2 (it) | 1994-02-17 |
DE69112673T2 (en) | 1996-04-18 |
DE69112673D1 (en) | 1995-10-12 |
IT9006935V0 (en) | 1990-02-26 |
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