EP1632599B1

EP1632599B1 - Shower protected airer

Info

Publication number: EP1632599B1
Application number: EP05255168A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fraser Hind
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-02
Filing date: 2005-08-23
Publication date: 2010-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-08-23
Also published as: ATE464423T1; EP1632599A1; DE602005020555D1

Abstract

A rain protection system suitably designed for the popular rotary airer comprising of water resistant panels (5), which form the required funnel shape. The panels (5) are attached to the airer's outermost line, the lower sections of the panels are weighted such that the panel becomes taut under normal conditions, creating the desired funnel shape. The lower, weighted sections (15) will also form the shape of a downspout (8), providing greater protection. During windy conditions, the panels may be forced to lift, this will create a gap alowing air to escape. This vent-like action will prevent damage, should the rotary airer be left unfolded during windy conditions.

Description

The present invention relates to a clothes airer according to the preamble of claim 1.
The rotary airer is a popular device used for clothes drying. An airer generally comprises a central pole from which a plurality (normally 3 or 4) of rotor arms extend. The rotor arms are inclined upwards such that they generally define an inverted pyramid. A washing line is then suspended between the arms in a spiral fashion. A long length of washing line can thereby be accommodated in a small space, which is ideal for use in small garden spaces. When not in use, the arms can be folded upwards or against the central pole to conserve space. A weatherproof sheath can optionally be slid over the folded airer for aesthetic purposes and/or to protect it from the elements.
A problem with outdoor clothes drying is that several hours of good weather is required to achieve the desired aim, which is to have washing dried. For many working people, this means leaving the contents of the airer unattended from early morning to late afternoon, in the hope that it stays dry.
Washing line and airer covers are available. Known washing line or airer covers are generally in the form of a tent-like structure, which is used to shield the line/airer from the elements. Such covers are generally larger than the airer and extend upwardly therefrom, which is unsightly, large shadow forming and space-inefficient. Moreover, because of their tent-like structure, known covers perform badly in windy conditions because the roof creates a lifting force that tends to try to pull the tent / airer out of the ground.
For example, DE 4402815 describes an airer having one or more arms extending from a support pole from which a clothes line can be suspended, and a rain protection system therefor, the rain protection system comprising a lining attached to and above the airer, the lining comprising more panels for collecting rainwater, wherein the panels are inclined downwardly from the outside of the airer towards the centre of the airer and wherein the lining has an aperture therein, through which collected rainwater is able to drain.
GB 2109678A describes a cape for a rotary clothes line comprising a cover panel and side panels hanging from the cover panel.
GB 2388530A describes a waterpool cover for a rotary clothes dryer having drawstrings for tensioning it.
GB 1599641 describes a rotary clothes dryer with a canopy.
It is an object of the present invention to attempt to overcome one or more of the above problems.
Accordingly, the invention provides a clothes airer having a rain protection system, the airer having one or more arms extending from a support pole from which a clothes line is suspended, the rain protection system comprising a lining attached to and above the airer, the lining comprising a plurality of panels for collecting rainwater, wherein the panels are inclined downwardly from the outside of the airer towards the centre of the airer to overlie the clothes line and wherein the lining has an aperture therein through which collected rainwater is able to drain, and wherein the lining is attached to the airer by releasable spring loaded clips over laterally extending pins at the ends of the arms, whereby the lining is detachable in high winds.
One possible advantage of the invention is that it provides the household greater convenience by allowing washing to be left out to dry on days when showers may be expected, and indeed for days when rain is not expected.
The panel or panels of the invention are preferably water-resistant. Preferably also, the panels are flexible enough to allow the airer to be folded into its upright position when not in use. Another preferred feature of the panels is that they be manufactured of a thin material such that it occupies as small a volume as possible when folded, which preferable feature is intended enable the airer to be stored folded, with the lining in-situ whilst still being able to accept the protective sheath, which is sometimes provided with a conventional airer.
The lining composes a plurality panels for collecting rainwater. Preferably, the number of panels provided corresponds to the number of arms of the airer. More than one panel can be fabricated by providing appropriate folds in a single piece of material. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention, the lining is made from a single piece to minimise the number of joins, and hence minimise the likelihood of leakage and/or failure.
The lining is preferably manufactured of a sheet material. Most preferably, the lining is manufactured of a polymer sheet, for example polyethylene sheeting, polyester, or a woven polymer sheet material.
Additionally, the lining may comprise one or more stiffeners to maintain the lining, as much as possible, in a desired configuration. The stiffeners, where provided, may comprise strips of relatively rigid material, e.g. a plastic strip, that is affixed to the lining. Preferably, the stiffeners are disposed at or near to the interface of adjacent panels. The stiffeners may be affixed to the lining along the edges of the panels such that they substantially coincide with the arms of the airer. The stiffeners, where provided on the lining, are preferably disposed on the underside of the lining.
It is a yet further preferable feature of the invention that flanges are provided on the arms of the airer to provide an abutment surface for the lining. The lining, in use, is preferably held in a taut configuration and flanges may be provided upwardly of the arms of the airer to provide a smooth surface for the lining to sit upon. This feature of the invention may help to maintain the lining in a desired configuration, in addition to minimising the likelihood of chaffing.
The flanges, where provided may be flat or they may have a configuration to correspond with the arms of the airer and/or the lining. In a most preferred embodiment, the flanges have a V-shaped upper surface to conform to the shape of the lining and to provide a drainage channel in the event of a lining leak and a lower surface having U-shaped formations for detachable clip engagement with the arms of the airer. The one or more panels are inclined downwardly from the outside of the airer towards the centre of the airer. The configuration of the invention therefore provides a funnel into which rainwater is collected and funnelled towards the aperture. One advantage of such a configuration is that it occupies only little more space than the airer itself, which adds to the aesthetic appeal of the invention. More importantly, however, the airer has a different aerodynamic configuration to that of known devices insofar as it may tend to generate a downward force when a wind passes over and/or around it. This feature may help to stabilise the airer in windy conditions and to reduce the likelihood of the airer being lifted from the ground in windy conditions.
The aperture is preferably located towards an intended a lower part of the lining when in use. Most preferably, the aperture is disposed at the intended lowest point of the lining when in use. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the lowest part of the lining substantially coincides with the centre pole of the airer.
The lining may additionally comprise a downpipe associated with the aperture. The downpipe, where provided, may be used to direct collected rainwater away from the airer or in a desired direction.
The lining is preferably weighted. The weighting means may be provided on any part of the lining but may conveniently be provided on the downpipe. The weighting means may compose one or more weights sewn into or otherwise attached to the lining. The weighting means, where provided, may help to keep the lining taut, and/or in a desired configuration. The weighting means may be associated with any part of the downpipe or aperture, especially the intended lower part of the downpipe or the periphery of the aperture.
Thus, in windy conditions, the lining is preferably able to rise to accommodate shape changes therein but to fall, under the weight of the weighting means, back into a desired configuration.
To prevent the lining being lost in high winds, it is preferable to provide hook means on the lining that can snag on the washing line or another part of the airer. Conveniently, the hook means may be provided on a lower end of the downpipe. The hook means may take the form of a finger or the like extending upwardly.
A fourth aspect of the invention provides a rain protection system designed to shelter the contents of a rotary airer from an unexpected rain shower by means of a unique funnel shaped lining.
The rain protection system according to the fourth aspect of the invention may provide greater convenience for people requiring unattended dry airing. The construction of the rain protection system according to the fourth aspect of the invention may be by use of water-resistant material to form the required funnel shape. The rain protection system according to the fourth aspect of the invention may additionally have side panels, which provide additional side protection should a light wind drive rain in ant an angle. Further, rain protection system according to the fourth aspect of the invention may be designed for use with existing rotary airers.
A preferred embodiment of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 shows a prior art airer in side elevation;
Figure 2 shows a partial section through an airer from the side;
Figure 3 shows a side elevation of a for an airer;
Figure 4 shows an alternative airer in side elevation;
Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of an airer in plan view;
Figure 6 shows a further side view of an airer;
Figure 7 shows a detailed cross section through a stiffener fitted to an airer;
Figure 8 shows a side elevation of an airer with side panels;
Figure 9 shows a possible pattern for fabricating a linining useful for understanding the invention;
Figure 10 shows a cross-section through a detachable flange of an airer; and
Figure 11 shows an airer according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the basic shape of a rotary airer, which comprises a central pole 12 and a plurality of rotor arms 10. The arms 10 are held in-situ by tie bars 6. A sliding collar 11 is provided to enable the arms 10 to be folded to a vertical position when the airer is not in use. A length of washing line 7 is threaded through holes (not shown) in the arms 10 in a spiral fashion.
Figures 2 and 3 show views of the invention, which comprises a plurality of panels 5 forming a lining, which are arranged to sit atop the airer. Each panel 5 has an upper flap 2, which overlaps the uppermost washing line 7' and hangs over the periphery of the airer. A downpipe 8 is formed from one or more dependent strips that form a tube. An aperture 13 is formed where the panel 5 meets the downpipe 8. Thus, rain falling in the direction generally indicated by arrow A, is collected by the lining 1 and runs towards the aperture 13, as indicated by arrow B. The collected rainwater is able to drain through aperture 13 and be directed in a desired direction (e.g. away from the clothes) as indicated by arrow C by the downpipe 8. The downpipe 8 is shown surrounding the central pole 12 of the airer, although it could be offset for ease of installation.
In Figure 4, a clothes airer useful for understanding the invention is shown wherein the lining 1 is provided with eyelets 3 that are adapted to engage with the ends of the arms 10 of the airer.
Figure 5 shows a plan view of the lining 1 of the invention. Each panel 5 is welded or stitched to an adjacent panel 5. A flange 4 is provided on the arms of the airer where the panels 5 join. The flange 4 is manufactured from a strip of plastic, whose function shall be described more fully below.
In Figure 6, a clothes airer useful for understanding the invention is shown wherein the downpipe 8 is fitted with a weighting means 15 at its intended lower end. The lining 1 is affixed atop the airer by eyelets 3 that engage with the ends of the arms 10 of the airer. The weighting means 15 causes the lining 1 to be held taut, whilst being free to lift under the influence of wind forces. The flanges 4 also help to hold the lining 1 in its desired configuration.
Figure 7 shows a detail of the panel 5 interfaces. Each panel 5 is stitched 16 to a flange 4 as previously described. The flange 4 is arranged to lie atop an arm 10 of the airer. This configuration serves several functions, namely; retaining a desired lining 1 configuration; reducing the likelihood of the stitching 16 from chaffing on the arm 10 and providing a convenient valley gutter for the lining 1. The flange 4 is shown as a flat strip of plastics material, although providing it with a U-section or V-section configuration may be desirable.
Figure 8 shows further feature of the invention, namely an outer windshield 9 that can be hooked to the arms 10 of the airer using elasticated loops 17. This helps to protect the airer from slanting rain, in windy conditions.
Figure 9 shows a pattern for a clothes airer useful for understanding the invention. The lining 1 is formed from four trapezium-shaped panels 5. Edges 19 are stitched together to form the lining 1 into a funnel shape. Slits 20 are provided such that the panels 5 fold about line 21 to form the overhangs 2, when in use. Eyelets 3 are provided for fixing the lining 1 to the airer. The lower edges 22 of each panel define the aperture 13. Each edge 22 is stitched to a corresponding edge 23 of the downpipe piece 8. The downpipe 8 has a hem 24 that is formed by stitching a lower edge 25 of the downpipe 8 to line 26. A weight (not shown), e.g. a chain or a string of lead shot, is stitched into the hem to provide a weighting means 15. Edges 26 and 27 are stitched to one another to form the downpipe 8 into a tubular configuration.
A windshield panel is formed from a rectangle of material and has eyelets 3' in intended upper corner thereof to which an elasticated cord may later be attached. A weighted hem 24' may be provided that is formed in a similar manner to that of the downpipe 8.
Figure 10 shows a cross-section through a flange 4 of a clothes airer useful for understanding the invention. The flange 4 has a V-shaped upper surface 28, which serves as a valley gutter and U-shaped 30 formations on the underside for engaging with the arms 10 of the airer. A screw or rivet may be provided (not shown) for a more robust connection of the flange to the arm of the airer.
Finally, Figure 11 shows a variation applicable to any embodiment of the invention in which the downpipe 8 has one or more upwardly extending fingers 32 from the lower end thereof. The finger or fingers is or are intended to snag on the washing line 7, in the event that the lining becomes detached from the airer, to prevent loss of the lining.
This variation will be particularly appropriate for the invention in which the eyelets 3 are replaced by releasable spring-loaded clips 34 that allow the lining to detach in high winds with the clips attached to pins 36 extending laterally from ends of the airer arms.

Claims

A clothes airer having a rain protection system, the airer having one or more arms (10) extending from a support pole (12) from which a clothes line (7) is suspended, the rain protection system comprising a lining (1) attached to and above the airer, the lining comprising a plurality of panels (5) for collecting rainwater, wherein the panels are inclined downwardly from the outside of the airer towards the centre of the airer to overlie the clothes line and wherein the lining has an aperture(13) therein through which collected rainwater is able to drain, and characterised in that the lining is attached to the airer by releasable spring loaded clips over laterally extending pins (36) at the ends of the arms, whereby the lining is detachable in high winds.
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panels (5) are water-resistant.
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the panels (5) are flexible.
A clothes airer as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lining (1) is manufactured of a sheet material.
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the lining (1) is manufactured from a polymer sheet material
A clothes airer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lining (1) is attached by fastening means (34) that engage with the arms and/or washing lines of the airer.
A clothes airer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lining (1) additionally comprises one or more stiffeners (4).
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 7, wherein the stiffeners (4) comprise strips of rigid material
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the stiffeners (4) are disposed at or near to the interface of adjacent panels (5).
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the stiffeners (4) are affixed to the lining (1) along the edges of the panels (5), such that they substantially coincide with the arms (10) of the airer.
A clothes airer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the aperture (13) is disposed at the intended lowest point of the lining (1), when in use.
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lowest part of the lining (1) substantially coincides with the pole (12) of the airer.
A clothes airer as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the lining (1) additionally comprises a downpipe (8) associated with the aperture(13).
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 13, wherein the downpipe (8) or lining (1) is weighted by a weighting means (15).
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the weighting means (15) is associated with the intended lower part of the downpipe (8) or the periphery of the aperture (13).
A clothes airer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein flanges (40) are provided on the arms (10) of the airer for providing a resting surface for the lining (1).
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 16, wherein the flanges (40) comprise a valley formation for channelling rainwater.
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the flanges (40) are detachable from the arms(10) of the airer.
A clothes airer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the lining (1) has hook means (32) for snagging on the clothes line (7) or another part of the airer.
A clothes airer as claimed in claim 19, wherein the hook means (32) is provided on a lower end of the downpipe (8).