EP2677077B1 - Clothes dryer and storage or storage device for a clothes dryer - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a tumble dryer for hanging drying laundry with a frame and at least one holding means for hanging laundry, wherein the frame has at least two cross member and at least one, the cross member spaced apart holding longitudinal connection and the holding means for hanging the laundry with at least one Section extends from a first cross member to an opposite second cross member and the frame is formed such that the distance between the cross member is mutually variable.

State of the art

A tumble dryer with an extendable drying rack of this kind is from the DE 101 61 319 A1 known. The known clothes dryer has a frame which consists of two longitudinal rods and two transverse rods, wherein the longitudinal rods are telescopic rods, so that the frame is variable in length. To avoid this being blocked by the holding means for the laundry items, these are also telescopic rods.

Although this known dryer allows a change in length, it still has some disadvantages:

A disadvantage is that the telescopic rods can only be pushed together if these solid rod parts are not kinked. Thus, any kinking of the bars, for example due to overload or manual action on the collapsed laundry rack during storage, results in a restriction of variability or, in the worst case, even ultimate blocking of adjustability. An overload can be done quite quickly, for example, by putting a laundry basket on the bars.

Furthermore, the production and installation or use of telescopic drying rods is much more complicated than the use of flexible clotheslines. Also by many users the feel and the Drying properties of linen appreciated. Linen are also considered to be gentler on linen than metallic dry rods. Finally, there is the danger in telescopic poles that dirty water gets into the interior of the rod and causes contamination of the laundry items being washed during continuous re-emergence.

From the DE 20 2007 015 592 U1 is a trained as a wing dryer drying rack is known, which has on a central frame two outwardly hinged wings, wherein on a wing a spring-loaded Leinenauszugsvorrichtung is arranged over the then lower line level more lines can be drawn exciting to the end of the opposite wing, so that a second, then upper line level results.

Although the utility value of the laundry rack can be increased with this additional line level, the laundry rack can only be increased in height by an additional level, but can not be reduced while retaining its function.

From the US 2 481 443 A is a drying rack with a rigid frame known washing lines, which are mounted on one side extendable in automatic return and can be pulled to the opposite side of the frame, where they are then attached via hooks. This drying rack has the disadvantage that the central frame is fixed and the available line length can not be extended beyond the frame length addition.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved and more flexible tumble dryer available. In particular, the abovementioned disadvantages are to be avoided.

The object is achieved in one embodiment by a in length, ie in the longitudinal direction of the holding means, variable clothes dryer of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in that the holding means for hanging the Laundry items is a leash and at least one linen tensioning device is provided, which is designed such that the length of the first cross member to the opposite second cross member portion of the line is variable in length and in at least two positions of use of the clothes dryer by different distances of the cross member are stretched, the section of the line stretched and secured against further extension by the tensile force of the laundry attached to him.

The generic tumble dryer can be designed as a stand dryer, but the invention is not limited thereto. Thus, a wall mount may be possible, it is only essential that two cross member for clamping the now linen-like holding means with simultaneous length variability by displacing the cross member relative to each other are possible.

According to the invention, a clothes dryer with linen and the linen tensioning device is now proposed. This has a frame which is formed by two cross members and the longitudinal connection, which may be longitudinal beams or other means, for example an X-shaped frame. It is only important that the longitudinal connection holds the cross member and the cross member are displaced relative to each other. In this case, one of the cross members can be or have the line tensioning device, and a line tensioning device can optionally also be provided on both sides. In the latter case, a linen tensioning device can in each case cover all lines or even tension only every second line.

If only a variability of the suspension area is desired, it is also possible to use a rigid, rectangular frame on which the cross members are fixed and only the line tensioning device is mounted transversely displaceable relative to the frame, for example on the longitudinal members. This embodiment then has the advantage that a portion of the frame can be released, such as to hang a laundry basket or to be able to reach through the frame in a laundry basket underneath. In this case, the frame then becomes set up rigidly and then move the line tensioning device in the desired direction.

The lines then run from the line tensioning device to one of the cross beams, on the other side of the line tensioning device then results between the line tensioning device and the opposite cross member, a rectangular area which is free of lines. This can be chosen so that a commercial or explicitly designed for this purpose laundry basket is suspended in this area, so that the user can easily take out the laundry and hang in the adjacent linen area. Then he can then remove the basket again and pull back the line tensioning device, so that it is then again arranged at the frame end as the opposite cross member and the length-variable lines have the maximum length.

The fixed frame with a transversely displaceable to the frame line tensioning device for releasing a portion of the frame can also be combined with the Längenveränderbarkeit described above, so that both advantages can be achieved. If necessary, both ends of the leash may each be arranged on a line tensioning device, wherein, for example, a line tensioning device may be fixedly mounted on a frame variable in length and the other line tensioning device may be movably mounted on this frame in the transverse direction to the cross beams.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least one line is proposed, wherein the line runs at least partially between at least two cross members of the frame. A distance between the cross members to each other and a line section between the cross members are variable in length in the variable-length configuration of the frame in their length. Preferably, the frame has at least one side member connecting the cross members.

The proposed tumble dryer has the advantage, among other things, that it is easy to store. Furthermore, linen compared to the usual today with laundry racks designs with metal bars have the Advantage that in addition to the lower risk of damage, the risk of transmission of rust stains or dirty water is not given to the laundry. Due to the variable length of the linen, the tumble dryer offers greater variability than dryers with a fixed length of linen, be it due to the variability of the length that can be achieved or the possibility of being released, for example for a receptacle for the laundry basket.

In the following, the invention will be described with reference to a variable length clothes dryer having a frame with two cross beams, wherein the line tensioning device may be one of the cross beams or may be disposed on one of the cross beams, which of course does not require the use of another line tensioning device or other additional elements excludes.

The tumble dryer can be designed in this embodiment as a clothes dryer with one or more legs or a preferably foldable stand frame. Alternatively, a variant may be provided in which the tumble dryer is attachable to a wall or to a heater or is held between two walls.

The frame of the tumble dryer may be a rectangular frame, but may also have other shapes, in particular individual frame parts can be configured bent. The frame has cross members which are variably spaced from one another.

In this embodiment, the frame has side members that are variable in length and connected to the cross members in one piece, fixed or articulated. The side members and / or the cross member may be part of a frame with which the dryer is set up on the floor, in a bathtub, in the shower or on any other surface. Alternatively, the frame may have fastening means with which the tumble dryer can be fastened, for example, to a wall, a bathtub, a heater and / or another suitable location.

According to the invention, a clothesline is used instead of the telescopic rods, this can be made of a rubber-elastic material, polypropylene, metal wire and / or of a natural fiber, such as hemp or sisal. The length of the line can be changed by the line tensioning device, it being understood that the straight section for hanging the laundry items is changeable. This can be done, for example, by pulling the line into a frame section or by rolling up one or both ends of the line.

In particular, the leash after a change in the distance of the cross member is clamped to each other. Particularly preferably, the tension of the line is in particular automatically adaptable to a change in distance of the cross member to each other, so that the user must take no further action on the one hand to stretch the line after a change in length and on the other hand to avoid sagging by the weight of the laundry.

The linen tensioning device may be formed as a winding device, which winds the free end of the line, driven by the force of a tension spring. In this case, a plurality of mutually parallel and mutually independent lines can be used, which are each attached at one end to a cross member and at an opposite end to the line tensioning device. Alternatively, a leash can run several times from the cross member to the linen tensioning device, for example via deflection rollers or other means for reversing the direction. Also, the lines can all be tensioned with a line tensioning device or, for example, alternately, with one of two opposing line tensioning devices.

The linen tensioning device may comprise a drum, wherein the line is windable with a free end on the drum. Preferably, the drum is then loaded by the tension spring, for example a torsion spring, so that the winding operation and / or a tensioning of the lines are driven by a spring force. Alternatively, in another embodiment, a hand crank, a slider or a similar means for pulling the end of the leash into the line tensioning device may be provided. These may also be weights that either drive the winding drum or pull the lines directly into a frame section.

In any case, after setting the length, the leash should be held so that the laundry can not pull it out of the line tensioning device. This can be done by the clamping device, so the clamping force, but has the disadvantage that the user must overcome this tension when pulling apart the frame to widen the tumble dryer also. After the total weight of the wet laundry is not low, this creates a comparatively large drag.

Therefore, it will be preferable to support the attachment of the line at least by a locking device. This can be a braking or locking device that acts on the line and either triggered automatically or can be activated by the user aware. One possible locking device is, for example, a lock which automatically engages when the leash is pulled out too quickly, as is known from the safety belt of a car. Furthermore, the locking device can also be triggered automatically by locking the sliding line tensioning device or the cross member. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention uses linen tensioning devices, which are already known from wall dryers ago. These are wall-mounted drying racks, which are pulled forward and then stretch between the wall and the front end lines, which are pulled against a clamping force and held tightly via a retraction lock.

Alternatively, the line tensioning device has a locking element, wherein by means of the locking element, a fixing of the line and / or a fixing of the drum on which the line is wound, can be effected. This has the advantage that the driving element, such as the tension spring or crank, can be relieved and the clamping force of the spring can be made smaller.

The basic idea according to the invention can now - in addition to the above-discussed release of a frame area - be used in a variety of ways:

In a simple embodiment, a variable-length clothes dryer is provided whose frame is adjustable in length. If it is a frame with side rails, then these may be telescopic rods, scissors gear or any other form of adjustable frame and substructures. In this embodiment, the change in length is taken into account that the linen tensioning device shortened or extended the lines and blocked either by itself or by a separate locking device before use by hanging the lines.

The linen tensioning device may be provided on a cross member or on both cross members. In this case, the cross member, in particular in the case of a line tensioning device, which is designed as a drum-like winding device, also form the cross member. Alternatively, one or two line tensioning devices can be provided in the middle of the frame, of which the lines then extend to the cross member. These, too, can in turn be displaceable.

A somewhat more complex, but very flexible and advantageous embodiment of the invention has a frame on which at least on one side a frame wing is arranged. This frame is then formed, for example, by a central frame, which may be approximately rectangular. At the ends of this central frame can then be provided a frame wing, which is formed by a sash, which may for example consist of a bent twice by 90 ° or U-shaped frame profile. Such clothes dryers are well known and have additional lines in the frame wing in order to increase the effective drying area as needed.

Now, however, the line tensioning device can be arranged either on the cross member of the central frame, which can be variable in length, as described above, so that the frame wing in essentially offers the same extension as in the known tumble dryers. New is then the change in length of the central frame. Here then completely independent clothes lines in the frame wings and the central frame can be used.

A change in length of the central frame can be realized in the same way, when the lines are passed through the cross member of the central frame and attached to the outer ends of the sash. Then, the linen tensioning device may be provided at an arbitrary position. Thus, it can either be arranged at the end of a frame wing or, if two frame wings are used opposite, on both frame wings. Alternatively, line tensioning devices may be provided in the center of the center frame, the lines then extending from these central line tensioning devices through the cross members to the end of the frame wing.

However, an embodiment in which the frame wing is pivotable in the plane of the frame from a position in which it protrudes laterally outwards into a middle position in which it essentially rests on the central frame is particularly advantageous. In this case, the line tensioning device may be provided at the end of the frame wing, so that it is folded together with this end. Then, attached to the opposite end of the central frame or an opposite, additional frame wing line extends in the unfolded state through the entire frame. In the folded state, however, the line then "only" still extends from the central region of the central frame, in which now lies a cross member to the other end of the central frame or the frame wing, so that the pivoting range of that frame wing, which carries the linen tensioning device, now free of linen and can be used as a hanging area for a laundry basket.

A laundry basket that can be used in conjunction with this aspect of the invention is designed so that it can be suspended in the frame. For this purpose, the length and depth of the basket are adapted to the frame, so that the basket can be hung in the now free frame section with an outwardly projecting retaining area, which can be integrated into a handle. Alternatively, the so kept free of linen area can also be used only to put the basket under the drying rack, so that the user can reach through.

The frame wings can, if in addition to a first frame wing and an additional frame wing is used, in the longitudinal direction of the lines or of the frame have a different length. Thus, the one frame wing, which carries the linen tensioning device, be adjusted in length exactly the length of the laundry basket or be created even smaller in creating a penetration possibility, so that the shared area is kept as small as possible in order to keep the longest possible leash.

The additional frame wing, however, can then be made longer. Also, the sash itself telescopically be pulled out. Finally, it can be provided that the central frame has only longitudinal members, so the cross member in favor of the sash, which then take over their function, accounts. The line tensioning device ensures in all cases that the lines are stretched after shortening the distance between their attachment ends and not sag. It can act on the leash a tension for straightening the leash, which may be between about 0.2 kN to about 5 kN, depending on whether the clamping force should only cause the straightening of the non-loaded leash or the leash loaded with laundry. Particularly preferred here, a force of about 0.6 kN to about 2.5 kN can be used, wherein the necessary force, of course, also depends on the length of the line sections.

Usually then the clamping force is adapted to the length of the rope to be tensioned and to the maximum expected load and the tolerable sag, especially at maximum distance of the cross member. For example, with a maximum span of the lines of about 2.5 m, an expected wet weight of about 10 kg per line and a tolerable sag of about 2 cm to 3 cm, a tension of about 2 kN to about 3.5 kN is applied to the lines.

Further advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following drawings of a preferred embodiment. However, the developments described there are not to be construed restrictively, but rather the features described there can be combined with one another and with the features described above to form further embodiments.

Short description of the drawing figures

• Fig. 1 einen aufgeklappten Wäschetrockner,
• Fig. 2 den Wäschetrockner aus Fig. 1, bei dem ein Flügel zur Mitte geklappt ist,
• Fig. 3 den Wäschetrockner in einem vollständig zusammengeklappten Zustand und
• Fig. 4 eine Detailansicht einer Leinenspannvorrichtung.

In the drawings shows:

• Fig. 1 an unfolded tumble dryer,
• Fig. 2 the tumble dryer off Fig. 1 in which a wing is folded to the middle,
• Fig. 3 the tumble dryer in a fully folded state and
• Fig. 4 a detailed view of a linen tensioning device.

Description of the embodiments

FIG. 1 shows a clothes dryer, which is designed as a foldable clothes horse. The tumble dryer has a frame 1, legs and a first frame wing 2 and an additional frame wing 2 '. The legs are articulated on the frame 1. Furthermore, the frame wings 2 and 2 'are arranged articulated on the frame 1. The frame 1 has, in the version shown, two longitudinal members 5, 6 arranged parallel to one another.

The frame wings 2, 2 'here form the cross member 3,4, which connect the side members of the frame 1 with each other, so that can be dispensed with explicit cross member. Between the end-side cross members of the frame wings 2,2 ', the lines 9 are stretched, to which the not here shown laundry can be hung. One of the crossbeams 2, 2 'is designed as a line tensioning device 7, wherein the line tensioning device 7 holds the lines 9 on tension and is designed such that the lines 9 can preferably be rolled up inside the line tensioning device 7.

FIG. 2 shows the tumble dryer off FIG. 1 , wherein the frame wing 2 'is folded down towards the center of the frame 1. The longitudinal sides of the frame wing 2 'are on the longitudinal sides 5, 6 of the frame 1. As a result, the frame wing 2 'is held in a nearly horizontal position. It can be seen that the lines 9 were taken up by the line tensioning device 7, so that the line length is shortened, but the lines 9 are still stretched.

By folding the frame wing 2 ', the lines 9 now run from the inwardly folded end of the frame wing 2' to the additional frame wing 2 or, if this should not be present, to the opposite cross member of the frame 1. It is irrelevant whether the folded frame wing 2 'or 2 or the unfolded frame wing 2 or 2' or the frame 1, the linen tensioning device 7 carries. By the clamping effect is achieved in each case that the area next to the clamping point of the lines 9, which is directed to the outside, is no longer covered by lines 9, so that it can be grasped by him in a standing under the clothes dryer laundry basket 8 or in him a laundry basket 8 can be used.

The laundry basket 8 preferably has tabs or other protruding form elements as an abutment, which are designed such that they protrude beyond the sash of the frame wing 2 and 2 ', so that they allow hanging the laundry basket.

The tumble dryer can also be used if only the frame wing 2 'is folded, which is not shown here. As can be seen from the figures, the frame wing 2 'is shorter than the frame wing 2. If the laundry basket 8 at the middle of the frame 1 out folded frame 2 used in the sash of the frame wing 2, this then projects slightly beyond the sash.

Preferably, the tumble dryer is statically designed so that even with fully loaded laundry basket 8 no obesity arises in one direction. This can be realized for example by appropriate shaping of the pedestal, which may have, for example, an angled, outwardly directed arrangement of the support bracket. By the side overhanging the laundry basket 8 while the space that is lost by the provision of a hanging position, minimized, so that the largest possible, usable area for hanging the laundry remains.

FIG. 3 shows the tumble dryer, which is completely folded up. The frame wings 2 and 2 'are folded over to the center of the frame 1. The lengths of the sashes of the frame wings 2 and 2 'are chosen such that in the folded state, the rear ends of the frame wings 2 and 2' are juxtaposed. The leash 9 was raised as far as possible by the linen tensioning device 7, so that - if any - only one line length is available, which corresponds to the distance between the outer ends of the frame wings to each other. Furthermore, in Fig. 3 to recognize that the legs are folded to the frame 1 out. In this condition, the tumble dryer is easy to stow. In particular, the lines 8 are protected from contamination or damage during storage.

FIG. 4 shows a sketchy detail view of the linen tensioning device 7. This has a drum which constantly tries to roll up the lines 9 by means of an indicated spring-loaded clamping mechanism. Since the lines 9 are fastened to the frame wing 2, the lines 9 are tensioned. To prevent sagging of the lines 9 when they are loaded with laundry, a locking mechanism is provided which locks the drum.

Furthermore, the linen tensioning device 7 has a cover which partially encloses the drum. In addition to feeding the leash 9 prevents the cover, in particular during storage of the tumble dryer contamination of the line. 9

The cover is preferably designed such that it is rotatable about the drum. This has the advantage that the outlet for the lines 9 in dependence on the position of the frame wing 2 is variable. Preferably, the leashes 9 strike the cover during pivoting of the frame wing 2, so that a force is exerted on the cover, which rotates the cover about its longitudinal axis.

List of reference numbers

1

frame

2

frame wings

2 '

additional frame wing

3

First cross member

4

Second cross member

5

First side member

6

Second side member

7

Line tensioner

8th

clothes basket

9

Leash for hanging laundry

Claims (14)

1. A laundry drier comprising a length-changeable hanging-up area for drying laundry while it hangs up, which encompasses a frame (1) and at least one holding means for hanging up pieces of laundry, wherein the frame (1) encompasses at least two crossmembers (3, 4) and at least one longitudinal connection, which holds the crossmembers (3, 4) at a distance to one another, the holding means for hanging up the pieces of laundry runs with at least one section from a first crossmember (3) to an opposite second cross member (4), and the frame (1) is embodied in such a way that the distance of the crossmembers (3, 4) relative to one another can be changed, characterized in that the holding means for hanging up the pieces of laundry is a line (9) and provision is made for at least one line tensioning device (7), which is embodied in such a way that the length of the section of the line (9), which runs from the first crossmember (3) to the opposite second cross member (4), can be changed, and, in at least two use positions of the laundry drier, which are characterized by different distances of the crossmembers (3, 4), the section of the line (9) is stretched and is secured against further extension by the tractive force of the pieces of laundry, which are hung.
2. The laundry drier according to claim 1, characterized in that one or a plurality of lines (9) are connected with one end to the line tensioning device (7) and, at an opposite end, are fastened to the crossmember (3 or 4) located opposite the line tensioning device (7), wherein the line (9) runs back and forth between the crossmembers (3 and 4) several times and is held so as to glide via deflection means in the area of the inversion of the direction.
3. The laundry drier according to claim 1, characterized in that the frame (1) is a fixed frame (1), which is formed by the first crossmember (3) and a third crossmember and the at least one longitudinal connection, wherein the second crossmember (4) is embodied as line tensioning device (7) and can be displaced and fixed between the first crossmember (3) and the third crossmember, and the holding means for hanging up the pieces of laundry runs with at least one section from the first crossmember (3) to the opposite second cross member (4).
4. The laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it encompasses a tension spring for tensioning the section of the line (9) or of the entire line (9) and the line tensioning device (7) encompasses a retractor mechanism for the line (9), wherein the line (9) can be unwound from a supply roll against the force of the tension spring when the distance of the first crossmember (3) changes relative to the opposite second crossmember (4).
5. The laundry drier according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that provision is made for a plurality of lines (9) arranged parallel to one another, which are in each case connected with one end to the line tensioning device (7) and which are fastened with an opposite end to the crossmember (3 or 4) located opposite the line tensioning device (7).
6. The laundry drier according to claim 4, characterized in that the tension spring is dimensioned in such a way that the tension of the line (9) by the line tensioning device (7) is larger than the weight of the wet pieces of clothing hanging thereon in response to a maximum distance of the first crossmember (3) to the second crossmember (4), wherein in particular 10 g to 100 g, in particular 20 g, is assumed per line millimeter as weight of the pieces of laundry.
7. The laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, after changing the distance of the line tensioning device (7) relative to the opposite crossmember (3 or 4), the line (9) can be fixed via a locking device in order to avoid a further extension.
8. The laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal connection, which holds the crossmembers (3, 4) at a distance to one another, is formed by longitudinal supports (5, 6) of the frame (1), which are embodied as telescopic bars.
9. The laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at least on one side, the frame (1) encompasses a frame wing (2), which is connected to the frame in an articulated manner and which, in the unfolded state, extends with a wing frame from the first longitudinal support (5) to the opposite second longitudinal support (6).
10. The laundry drier according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the laundry drier encompasses an additional frame wing (2') comprising the same or different length in longitudinal direction of the longitudinal supports (5, 6) as compared to the first frame wing (2), which is arranged on the side of the frame (1) opposite the frame wing (2) and which, in the unfolded state, extends with one wing frame from the first longitudinal support (5) to the opposite, second longitudinal support (6).
11. The laundry drier according to one of claims 10, characterized that the wing frame is formed by two wing frame sections, which are arranged in particular parallel to the longitudinal supports (5, 6), which, on the side facing away from the longitudinal supports (5, 6), are connected to one another via a cross connection.
12. The laundry drier according to one of claims 9, 10 or 11, characterized in that the first crossmember (3) and/or the second crossmember (4) is formed by the wing frame, and a line tensioning device (7) is arranged at the wing frame along the cross connection or the cross connection is formed by a line tensioning device (7).
13. The laundry drier according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (1) encompasses a reception or receiving means for receiving a storage means for laundry, in particular so as to hang or be hooked in, in particular of a laundry basket (8), which can be hooked into the reception, or a worktop for sorting, preparing and/or folding pieces of laundry.
14. The laundry drier according to claim 12, characterized in that a reception or receiving means for receiving a storage means for laundry, in particular so as to hang or be hooked in, is arranged in the wing frame, wherein the wing frame can be pivoted back and forth between a folded-in and an unfolded position and, in the folded-in position, is arranged parallel to the frame, so that the line tension device (7) is arranged between the ends of the longitudinal supports (5, 6), and the line (9) runs from the line tensioning device (7) to an end of the longitudinal supports (5, 6), while lines, which start at the line tensioning device (7), do not run between the line tensioning device (7) and the other end of the longitudinal supports (5, 6) for releasing the reception.

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