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 concerns a rack, a drying rack in particular.
• the usual drying rack has the disadvantage that the inner clotheslines are difficult to reach. When hanging out the laundry it must be taken from one hand to the other at the upper side or bottom side of the rack, in order to be fixed with clothes pegs. When the laundry has dried the same actions have to be performed for the second time.
• the aim of the invention is to provide an improved drying rack, one on which it is easy to hang laundry without the laundry needing to be fixed separately.
• this is achieved by means of a drying rack fitted with at least one pair of mainly parallel, elongated, mating clamping elements, one end of each of which being fixed to a support, so that the mating clamping elements form a narrow, slot-shaped space in between for the clamping of the laundry.
• the free ends of the mating clamping elements of this or each pair are preferably slightly bent apart, to form a widened in-feed piece of the slot- shaped opening.
• the mating clamping elements of each pair are constructed as springs pre-stressed towards each other.
• pairs of clamping elements can be fixed to the support.
• a construction-wise simple version with only few components is obtained when the pairs of clamping elements are positioned in a common, mainly horizontal plane and the clamping elements of adjoining pairs are interconnected.
• the pairs of clamping elements it is preferable for the pairs of clamping elements to be in a common, mainly horizontal plane and be movable along the support.
• a compact drying rack is obtained when the pairs of clamping elements are in a common, mainly vertical plane and are connected swivelling to the support.
• the drying rack preferably shows mediums for suspending the support and the clamping elements connected to it, at a certain distance from the ground.
• a rack to be put up stably and to be stored easily is obtained when the suspension mediums are shaped like a collapsible stand comprising two mainly U-shaped frames connected with their free ends swivelling to an axle.
• Preferential versions of this variant of the drying rack are described in the conclusions 14 to 20.
• the suspension mediums can comprise a couple of hook-shaped suspension elements.
• the matter of conclusions 22 to 24 are the matter of conclusions 22 to 24.
• the rack can simply be clamped between two walls or something of the like.
• the suspension mediums are made up of at least two mainly U- shaped frames, each connected on one side of the supports with the clamping elements.
• the suspension mediums comprise a pipe-shaped stand, to which, circumferentially a number of supports are fixed
• the drying rack can be placed as a collapsible clothesline in for instance a garden.
• the rack has the advantage that it can contain a cover to be tightened across the supports and clamping elements, so that it can be used as a sunshade when it is not being used as a drying rack.
• the clamping elements could be fitted with ribs and/or bendings .
• the present invention has the advantage that the drying rack is better accessible and that the laundry can be fixed to the drying rack in one movement. Thus fewer movements are required, which saves time. Since the laundry is clamped evenly across the full width, it can better withstand gusts of wind and is prevented that one part of a garment stretches more than the other. The separate components make the drying rack better collapsible and situations risky for children are avoided, because clothes pegs are no longer needed.
• Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the first version of the drying rack in accordance with the invention with U-shaped clamping elements
• Fig. 2 shows a perspective view, in which the drying rack of fig.l has been partly collapsed
• Fig. 3 shows a perspective view, in which the drying rack has been folded completely
• Fig. 4 shows a view of a drying rack similar to fig. 1, in which the clamping elements are used as springy bars,
• Fig. 5 shows a perspective view in which the springy bars have been fixed parallel to the swivel axle of the stand
• Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a second version of the invention, in which the rack has been fitted with suspension hooks
• Fig. 7 shows a perspective view (in disassembled state) of the third version, which can be used as a towel rack and which has been fitted with springy bars,
• Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the version of fig. 7 in an assembled state
• Fig. 9 shows a view of a drying rack similar to fig. 1, in which the outer U-shaped clamping elements have been fitted with a torsion spring,
• Fig. 10 is a perspective detail view in an enlarged scale of the U-shaped clamping elements of fig. 9,
• Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a fourth version of the rack, which can be suspended between two walls by means of two telescopic pipes,
• Fig. 12 is a perspective detail view in an enlarged scale of the short pipe and the rubber end cap of fig.
• Fig. 13 shows a view of a drying rack similar to fig. 1, in which the rack has been produced of rolled section,
• Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a variant in which the springy bars at the back have been fitted with a clamping system for detachable connection with a stand,
• Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of the version of fig. 14 in an assembled state
• Fig. 16 shows a fifth version of the invention, in 5which the rack has been produced as a table-top model
• Fig. 17 is a perspective detail view in an enlarged scale of the two coupling elements of fig. 16,
• Fig. 18 is a perspective detail view in an enlarged scale of the coupling element between the outer U-shaped lOprofiles of fig. 16,
• Fig. 19 is a perspective detail view in an enlarged scale of the clamping balls of fig. 16,
• Fig. 20 shows a side view of the coupling element fitted with a compression spring
• Fig. 21 shows a view similar to fig. 20, in which the coupling element has been shifted
• Fig. 22 shows a perspective view of a variant of the second version, in which the balcony rack is fitted with rolled sections
• Fig. 23 shows a perspective view, in which the suspension mediums and the rack are fitted parallel
• Fig. 24 shows a sixth version of the invention, in which the drying rack is styled as a collapsible clothesline with oval-shaped profiles,
• Fig. 25 shows a perspective view, in which the springy bars at the end have been bent arch-wise.
• the improved drying rack in accordance with the invention comprises a stand or standard 13, made up of two U-shaped frames 1 (fig. 1, 2 and 3) of which the end
• each of the U-shaped frames 1 35centre of each of the U-shaped frames 1 are two supports or axles 5, 6, which have been entered rotating at the inner side 9 of the U-shaped frame 1.
• the standard is fitted with a connecting element 10, which can swivel around the end of the lower axle 5
• the standard 13 is fitted with four locking instruments 14, which, through the opening 15 formed at the bottom end, can rotate around the pin 16 of the standard 13.
• the centre and the end of the locking instrument 14 are fitted with a nick 17, 18. Pairs of
• 50clamping elements are fixed to the supports or axles 5, 6, in the example shown the clamping elements of each two adjoining pairs being linked into U-shaped bars 19, of which the free ends 20 have been connected diagonally to the axle 5, 6.
• Parallel to the axle 5, 6 the U-shaped bars 19 are interconnected by means of a second axle, which reinforces it all.
• the outer U-shaped bars 21 are fitted with a position pin 22, which is in contact behind 5the nick 17, 18 of the locking instrument 14, due to which the drying rack is fixed in a certain position.
• the unfolded drying rack 23 can easily and fast be uncoupled by slightly lifting the rack 23.
• the position pins 22 of the U-shaped bars 21 are brought out lOof contact of nick 17, so that the rack 23 can be collapsed again.
• Turning the two locking instruments 14 and pulling them a little apart and release them again as soon as the opening 24 is opposite the top axle 6, provides a very simple locking. Because the position pins
• the laundry is clamped at once to the drying rack 23. Owing to the improved accessibility and the fact that clothes pegs are no longer needed, the duration of hanging out laundry has been reduced considerably. Moreover the drying rack without clothes pegs can be
• the drying rack could be fitted with springy bars (fig. 4) instead of the U-shaped bars. Close to the cross axle 5, 6 the bar 28 is bent arch-wise until, in
• the springy bar is preferably produced of material having
• 45shaped brace 30 is used, of which the short bar 31 has been entered swivelling in the opening 7, 8 of the U- shaped frame 1.
• the springy bars could be fitted with ribs or bendings, possibly constructed in a staggered way, so that the laundry is clamped even better.
• the rack could be constructed with two suspension mediums.
• the left-hand and right-hand sides of the rack 23 are fitted with a swivelling frame 35 (fig.6), which, through openings 36, 37 formed at the end, can swivel around the bar 38 of the lOU-shaped frame 39.
• the ends 41 of the outer springy bars 40 are connected to the U-shaped frame 39 by means of a small connecting bar 42, which reinforces it all.
• the swivelling frame 35 is fitted at the back wit an integrated hook 43, so that the rack 23 can be suspended.
• Fig. 7 is an alternative version of the invention, in which a towel rack is fitted with clamping elements.
• the mounting plate 44 at the top and bottom is constructed with a short bar 45, which, at the end 46, is fitted with a pipe-shaped element 47.
• a pin 48 is applied, secured at the bottom by a securing ring 49 entered in a groove 50.
• the cover piece 51 is fitted with four rectangular openings 53, which, at the averse side of the mounting plate 44 are constructed with a stop rim 54 sticking out, and the mounting plate 44 is fitted with four springy lips 55 with snap rims 56 that make
• the cover piece 51 can be removed from the mounting plate 44.
• the mounting plate 44 is fitted with three springy bars 32 that can swivel around the pin 48 through the opening 58 formed at the outer end.
• U-shaped bars and/or springy bars it is also possible to combine U-shaped bars and/or springy bars.
• one side of the U-shaped bar 19 could for instance be bent arch-wise 124 so that, with a large loop 125, it can be connected parallel to the long bar 126 with the axle 6 in fig. 9 and 10.
• the centre and end is constructed with a plastic connecting piece 127, 134.
• the connecting piece 127 is coupled to the threaded rods 128 by means of the slots 129 fitted on either side, that partly show the same contour as the threaded rods 128.
• all of the U-shaped bars 19 are fixed in a certain position by the locking arm 14.
• 50ne side of the locking arm 14 is coupled to the axle 5 and the bent piece 130 is clamped swivelling in the central connecting piece 127.
• the outer U-shaped bars 19 are fitted with a torsion spring 29, the short end 132 of which is coupled to the axle 6 and the long end 133 lOpartly sticks out through the front connecting piece 134.
• Figures 11 and 12 are versions in which the rack 23 can be fixed between two walls by means of telescopic pipes.
• the rack 23 is mounted to two long pipes 136 the ends 137 of which are fitted with an opening 141.
• a short pipe 138 partly sticks out at both ends 137.
• the short pipe 138 preferably has the same girth as the internal diameter of the long pipe 136.
• the short pipes 138 are lengthwise fitted with a number of openings 139 and one end is
• a tapped hole 140 Through the openings 139, 141, of the long and a short pipe 136, 138, is a locking pin 142, so that the two parts are fixed. Moreover the rack 23 is fitted with two rubber end caps 143 the threaded end 144 of which is tightened in the tapped hole
• the locking pin 142 To be able to clamp the drying rack between two walls, the locking pin 142 must be removed first and next slide in or out the short pipes 138, .after which the short pipes can be fixed again by the locking pins 142.
• the threaded end 144 of the rubber end cap 143 can possibly be turned in or out further to obtain the length desired in a continuously variable way. Since the drying rack is constructed with telescopic bars, it can be clamped between any walls without taking
• 45shaped profile 145 shows lengthwise ribs 146, fitted in such a way that, when the profiles are staggered next to each other, the round raised rim 147 exactly fits the hollow space 148 of the adjoining U-shaped profile. Owing to the ribs the garments are clamped even better and the
• the U-shaped profile 145 can swivel at the end around the axle 6 of the standard 13. Between the U-shaped profiles 145, around the axle 6 is a compression spring 150.
• the outer U-shaped profiles 151 are fitted with a torsion spring 29, the short end 132 of which is coupled to the axle 6 and the long end 133 is placed against the inside of the U-shaped profile.
• the springy bars 32 are preferably made of plastic and the back 96 shows a fork-shaped element 97, of which both insides are constructed with two half-round nicks 98
• the distance between the two clamping systems 105 can be adjusted in a continuously variable way, for instance even pillows or duvets can be clamped between the springy bars 32.
• FIGS 16, 17 and 18 show an alternative version of
• the table-top model 152 comprises a number of oval-shaped profiles 153 one side of which is fitted with nicks 155 on the inside 154 and the two ends 156 are fixed at an angle of 15 degrees. As the two ends 156
• the centre of the drying rack is fitted with two connecting elements 158 fitted with a number of horizontal slots 159, one side of which is
• 50slots 159 could be fitted with an integrated spring 162.
• the top 163 is fitted with an opening 164.
• the two connecting elements 158 By connecting the two connecting elements 158 by means of a bolt 165 and nut 166 connection, the tops and bottoms 167 of the oval- shaped profile 153 are fully clamped by the raising 160. Since the other side of the slot 159 is made a bit wider here the end 156 of the oval-shaped profile 153 can move 5back and forth.
• the drying rack is fitted on both ends 168 with a U-shaped frame 169, which on both ends is fitted with a created opening 170 fig. 18.
• the coupling element 172 is coupled to the oval-shaped profile 153 by means of the slots 129 fitted on either side, of which the length is made such that it is clamped exactly in the front nick 194 of the oval- shaped profile 153.
• the 15172 is fitted with two vertical and two horizontal slots 173.
• the slots 173 partly have the same contour as the one of the pipes of the U-shaped standard 169.
• drying rack could be combined with plastic bars fig. 19.
• One end of the bar 28 is preferably fitted with a clamping system
• the clamping system 176 mainly consists of a vertical slot 178 that partly has the same contour as the oval-shaped profile 153.
• a compression spring 180 could be fitted between the leg 175 fig. 20 and 21 of the U-shaped frame 169 and the inner wall 179 of the coupling element 172 around the axle 171.
• a garment is pushed between the oval-shaped profiles 153, the legs 175 of the U-shaped frame will remain stationary, but the distance ⁇ between two coupling elements 172 will be extended a bit.
• Fig. 22 is a version in which the balcony drying rack is constructed with rolled U-shaped sections. In this version the two ends 181 of the outer U-shaped profiles 182 are fixed to the two axles 183.
• the bar 184 lOof the small suspension medium 185 only sticks through the first two openings 186 of the front U-shaped profile 187.
• the large suspension medium 188 can swivel around the axle 183 of the rack 190 through openings 189 formed at the end.
• the rack 190 can possibly also be suspended off the suspension mediums 185, 188 fig. 23. In this version both suspension mediums 185, 188 are
• the whole drying rack could be produced of plastic. But for the two U-shaped frames, the whole rack consists of a piece of plastic, in which the central part
• the oval-shaped profiles are staggered-wise differently styled.
• one has a straight contour rim and the adjoining oval-shaped profile has two slanting sides.
• the U-shaped profiles could be fitted with a snap system designed in such a way that it can be coupled in one movement to the two connecting elements .
• the soft material easily adapts to the shape and thickness of a garment, for instance a much thinner garment can be hung without any problems beside a thick garment.
• 50profile could show a more pointed shape rather than a round raised rim.
• a thick garment will be more compressed, due to which the seam between the two clamping elements remains limited, so that next to the thick garment a thin garment can be hung.
• FIG. 24 is an alternative version of the invention, in which the rack 23 is styled as a collapsible clothesline.
• the rack 23 is styled as a collapsible clothesline.
• two connecting ⁇ elements 158 of the rack are connected on one end 196 by means of a hinge 197.
• a hinge 197 At the bottom of the hinge 197 is a long pipe 198, which halfway the end is fitted with a guide piece 199.
• the collapsible clothesline 200 is fitted with two locking arms 201, of which the opening
• U- shaped and oval-shaped clamping elements could also be made of another type of profile.
• the clamping elements could also be made of pipe, angle section,
• the end of the clamping element could be fitted with an end cap, of which the shade and form can be adjusted. Possibly the end of the springy bars 32 fig. 25 could also be bent
• the towel rack could possible be combined with a hairdryer, so that the latter can easily be stored in the

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)
• Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
• Holders For Apparel And Elements Relating To Apparel (AREA)
• Accessory Of Washing/Drying Machine, Commercial Washing/Drying Machine, Other Washing/Drying Machine (AREA)
• Gyroscopes (AREA)
• Passenger Equipment (AREA)
• Springs (AREA)
• Glass Compositions (AREA)

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Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (3)

Family

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• 2003
  • 2003-06-04 NL NL1023594A patent/NL1023594C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2004
  • 2004-06-04 CA CA002524978A patent/CA2524978A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2004-06-04 EP EP04739683A patent/EP1629148B9/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-06-04 DK DK04739683T patent/DK1629148T3/da active
  • 2004-06-04 CN CN2004800150910A patent/CN1798888B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2004-06-04 AT AT04739683T patent/ATE434073T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-06-04 WO PCT/EP2004/006154 patent/WO2004109007A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2004-06-04 PL PL04739683T patent/PL1629148T3/pl unknown
  • 2004-06-04 ES ES04739683T patent/ES2328816T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-06-04 DE DE602004021592T patent/DE602004021592D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2005
  • 2005-11-22 US US11/164,435 patent/US20070012638A1/en not_active Abandoned

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