EP2907914B1

EP2907914B1 - Tower drying rack

Info

Publication number: EP2907914B1
Application number: EP15153768.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefano Saccuman
Original assignee: Gimi SpA
Current assignee: Gimi SpA
Priority date: 2014-02-12
Filing date: 2015-02-04
Publication date: 2017-09-27
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-04
Also published as: PL2907914T3; ES2659802T3; EP2907914A1; DK2907914T3; RU2015103751A3; RU2015103751A; RU2681601C2; HUE037507T2

Description

The present invention relates to a tower drying rack.
Nowadays drying racks of the vertically-extending type, or towers, are known, widespread and very appreciated.
Such vertically-extending drying racks generally comprise:

a first perimetric frame to which collapsible grids for hanging laundry are pivoted, to such first frame there being pivoted
either a second perimetric frame, adapted to provide either an active configuration, in a cross-like arrangement with the first frame, or a flat-packed inactive configuration,
or two C-shaped frame parts, which are pivoted with parallel axes in opposite positions with respect to the first perimetric frame and intended to provide a cross-like or T-shaped active configuration with the first frame, or a flat-packed inactive configuration.

Resting elements protrude from the posts of the second frame, or of the two frame parts, for corresponding engagement portions of the grids for hanging laundry in the active configuration.
Such drying racks, generally provided with wheels for standing and rolling on the ground, are very convenient because they make it possible to take advantage of a reduced available space surface for hanging laundry on several overlying levels instead of on one single level, as occurs with classic folding drying racks.
Such tower drying racks, although appreciated and widespread, have a significant height limitation in the active configuration.
In fact such tower drying racks are sold packaged so that they can be used immediately they are removed from the package, with no need for any assembly; this implies that the first and second perimetric frames must have posts of limited height that makes it possible to conveniently transport the package in a shopping trolley and in a motor vehicle.
Such limitation means that such tower drying racks usually have at most three or four levels of grids for hanging laundry, which are arranged spaced apart and one over the other, the presence of other levels of grids being prevented by the height limitations of the perimetric frames, in particular with drying racks with four levels of grids which are very cumbersome to transport.
EP 1 001 071 A1 discloses a clothes drying rack 1, comprising four vertically arranged tubular rods 2a-d, and identical first and second cross journals 100a-b that connect and stiffen respectively the upper and lower ends of the rods 2a-d. Each cross journal 100a-b includes a member 10 pivotally connecting (by 90°) the inner ends (vertical rolls 8a,c) of two identical arms 9, and fixedly connecting the inner ends (vertical rolls 8b,d) of another two identical arms 9. A rotation movement of the member moves the four arms 9 from a non-operative packed position I (Fig. 2a) of the arms 9 to an operative position O (Fig. 2b) in which the arms are arranged at 90° with respect to each other. The outer ends of the arms 9 are provided with sleeves 7 connected to the respective ends of the vertical rods 2a-d. Supporting elements 3, 300 are connected at a series of holes 40 provided on the vertical rods 2a-d, the supporting elements 3, 300 each forming a rest 35 for removable attachment to clothes hanging grate frames 80 each comprising an external U-shaped member 83, two hooks 81 obtained by folding the ends of the member 83, and a plurality of stiffening cross bars 82. The top ends of the vertical rods 2a-d are provided with hanger holders 50 while the bottom ends of the vertical rods 2a-d are provided with pivot wheels 60.
US 2005/247655 A1 discloses a collapsible and re-expandable modular wine rack, each module comprising a pair of rectangular frames that are mutually pivotally connected to be movable between the collapsible and re-expanded configurations. Resilient clips 210 and 220 are provided to hold wire sections of stacked modules.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a tower drying rack the height of which in the active configuration is such as to allow the use of one or more further levels of grids for hanging laundry in addition to the usual three or four levels of grids which are typical of conventional tower drying racks.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a tower drying rack that is more convenient to transport with respect to conventional tower drying racks.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tower drying rack that is easy to use and to handle.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a tower drying rack as defined in the appended claims.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the tower drying rack according to the invention, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tower drying rack according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the tower drying rack according to the invention in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detail of the means of fixing the drying rack according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a further detail of the means of fixing the drying rack according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a portion of the perspective view in Figure 1.

With reference to the figures, a tower drying rack according to the invention is generally designated with the reference numeral 10.
The tower drying rack 10 is characterized in that it comprises at least two modules, for example 11 and 18 in the figures, each one of which comprises:

a first perimetric frame, 12 and 23 respectively, to which collapsible grids 13 and 14, and 24 and 25, for hanging laundry, are pivoted, to the first frame, 12 and 23, there being pivoted
either a second perimetric frame 15 and 26 respectively, which is adapted to provide either an active configuration, in a cross-like arrangement with the first frame, or an inactive configuration, flat-packed onto the first frame,
or two C-shaped frame parts, which are pivoted with parallel axes in opposite positions with respect to the first perimetric frame and intended to provide a cross-like or T-shaped active configuration with the first frame 12, 23, or an inactive configuration in which it is flat-packed onto the first frame.

Resting elements 16 and 29 protrude from the posts of the second frame 15 and 26, or of the two frame parts, for corresponding engagement portions 17 and 30 of the collapsible grids 13, 14, 24 and 25 in the active configuration.
The at least two modules 11 and 18 are stacked onto each other, in the active configuration, with means 19 and 20 for fixing the frames or frame parts of a first module 11 to the corresponding frames or frame parts of a second module 18.
In particular, the first module 11 comprises:

a first perimetric frame 12 to which collapsible grids, for example 13 and 14, for hanging laundry are pivoted; to the first frame 12 there being pivoted
either a second perimetric frame 15,
or, in a variation of embodiment not shown for the sake of simplicity, two C-shaped frame parts, which are pivoted with parallel axes in opposite positions with respect to the first perimetric frame,
resting elements 16 protruding from the posts 21 and 22 of the second frame 15, or of the two frame parts, for corresponding engagement portions 17 of the collapsible grids 13 and 14 in the active configuration.

Similarly to a first module 11, the second module 18 also has:

a first perimetric frame 23 to which collapsible grids, for example 24 and 25, for hanging laundry are pivoted; to the first frame 23 there being pivoted
either a second perimetric frame 26,
or, in a variation of embodiment not shown for the sake of simplicity, two C-shaped frame parts, which are pivoted with parallel axes in opposite positions with respect to the first perimetric frame,
resting elements 29 protruding from the posts 27 and 28 of the second frame 15, or of the two frame parts, for corresponding engagement portions 30 of the collapsible grids 24 and 25 in the active configuration.

Each perimetric frame 12, 13, 23 and 26 is constituted by two lateral posts, a lower cross-member and an upper cross-member.
The first frame 12 of the first module 11 comprises two posts 31 and 32, a lower cross-member 33 and an upper cross-member 34.
The second frame 15 of the first module 11 comprises the two posts 21 and 22, a lower cross-member 35 and an upper cross-member 36.
The first frame 23 of the second module 18 comprises two posts 37 and 38, a lower cross-member 39 and an upper cross-member 40.
The second frame 26 of the second module 18 comprises the two posts 27 and 28, a lower cross-member 41 and an upper cross-member 42.
The fixing means 19 and 20 are of the snap coupling type.
In particular, in the embodiment described herein, which should be understood to be a non-limiting example of the invention, the fixing means 19 and 20 are each constituted by a T-shaped element that comprises a first, central portion, 44 and 45 respectively, and second and third, opposite, lateral portions, 46, 47, 48 and 49 respectively.
Each one of the first portions 44 and 45, for example a first portion 44, as in Figures 4 and 5, is shaped so as to engage by snap action with an end portion 50 of the upper cross-member 40 of the first frame 23 of the second module 18, and with a corresponding end portion 51 of the lower cross-member 33 of the first frame 12 of the first module 11.
Each one of the second and third portions 46, 47, 48 and 49, for example a second portion 46, as in Figures 4 and 5, is shaped so as to engage by snap action with an end portion 52 of a post 31 of the first frame 12 of the first module 18, while the opposite third portion 47 is shaped so as to engage by snap action with an end portion 53 of a post 37 of the first frame 23 of the second module 18.
What is said above with regard to the T-shaped element that defines the first fixing means 19 should be understood to also apply to the second fixing means 20.
Each T-shaped element comprises four seats 60, 61, 62 and 63 respectively, as shown for the purposes of example in Figure 3.
A first seat 60 is shaped for the insertion of an end of a lower cross-member of a first module, a second seat 61 is shaped for the insertion of an end portion of a post of the same first module, a third seat 62 is shaped for the insertion of an upper cross-member of a second module, and a fourth seat 63 is shaped for the insertion of a post of the second module.
Each seat 60, 61, 62 and 63 has anti-extraction teeth, for example 65 and 66 in Figure 3, which are adapted to retain the end portion of the corresponding cross-member or post within that seat, and adapted to produce the snap coupling, upon passage between two opposite extraction-preventing teeth or between two opposite series of extraction-preventing teeth, of a corresponding end portion of a cross-member or post.
Each T-shaped element that defines the fixing means 19 and 20 is made of single body of plastic material.
The T-shaped element that defines the first fixing means 19 has the seats 70 and 71 for the end portions of a lower cross-member and of an upper cross-member respectively, such seats being spaced apart so as to allow the snap-acting engagement of the end portions 50 and 51 of the upper cross-member 40 and of the lower cross-member 33 which in the active configuration are farther away from each other in the direction of height of the drying rack 10 than are the other two paired cross-members.
The T-shaped element that defines the second fixing means 20 has the seats 60 and 62 for the end portions of a lower cross-member and of an upper cross-member respectively, such seats being spaced apart so as to allow the snap-acting engagement of the end portions 73 and 74, as in Figure 5, of the lower cross-member 35 and of the upper cross-member 42 which in the active configuration are closer to each other in the direction of height of the drying rack 10 than are the other two paired cross-members.
Use of the drying rack 10 according to the invention is the following.
Once the perimetric frames of the two modules 11 and 18 are arranged in a cross, the end portions of the posts and of the corresponding cross-members engage by snap-action in the respective seats of the T-shaped elements of the fixing means 19 and 20, so as to render the first frame 12 of the first module 11 integral with the first frame 23 of the second module 18, and the second frame 15 of the first module with the second frame 26 of the second module 18.
Thus a drying rack 10 is obtained which can be handled like a conventional one-piece tower drying rack, provided with a number of levels of collapsible grids for hanging laundry, which is constituted by the sum of the number of levels of collapsible grids with which the two modules 11 and 18 are provided.
If for example each module is provided with four collapsible grids which are arranged symmetrically in pairs on two planes, as shown in the figures, then the drying rack 10 according to the invention is provided, in the active configuration, with eight collapsible grids arranged on four planes.
The tower drying rack 10 thus makes it possible to put up a tower drying rack of height greater than or equal to similar conventional tower drying racks, and which therefore can be provided with a number of levels of grids, for example four or more levels of grids, which is greater than or equal to the usual maximum number of four levels of grids which is typical of conventional tower drying racks, but simpler to transport, or to be put away after use, thanks to the ability to attach and separate the modules 11 and 18 that form it.
The tower drying rack 10 according to the invention, thanks to its ability to be separated into modules, can be easily packaged by the manufacturer in boxes of contained size and can be easily transported by a purchaser, both with a normal shopping trolley, and in the luggage compartment of a motor vehicle; in fact the two modules can be packaged separated from each other, folded in the flat-packed inactive configuration and side by side with each other in the same package, so that such package is substantially half the height with respect to the height of the packaging of an improved drying rack 10 which has the modules 11 and 18 stacked onto each other.
Furthermore each module can be used separately, and thus if the user does not need to use both modules one on top of the other, it is possible to conveniently use only one of them.
In practice it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
In particular, with the invention a tower drying rack is provided the height of which in the active configuration is such as to allow the use of one or more further grids for hanging laundry in addition to the usual three grids which are typical of conventional tower drying racks.
Furthermore, with the invention a tower drying rack is provided which is convenient to transport in the manner of conventional tower drying racks.
What is more, with the invention a tower drying rack is provided which is easy to use and to handle.
The invention, thus conceived, is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.
In practice the components employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.
The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2014A000024 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A tower drying rack (10), comprising at least two modules (11, 18), each one of which comprises:
- a first perimetric frame (12, 23) to which collapsible grids (13, 14, 24, 25) for hanging laundry are pivoted, to said first frame (12, 23) there being pivoted

- either a second perimetric frame (15, 26), adapted to provide either an active configuration, in a cross-like arrangement with the first frame, or an inactive configuration, flat-packed onto the first frame,

- or two C-shaped frame parts, which are pivoted with parallel axes in opposite positions with respect to the first perimetric frame and intended to provide a cross-like or T-shaped active configuration with the first frame (12, 23), or an inactive configuration in which it is flat-packed onto the first frame,
resting elements (16, 29) protruding from the posts of the second frame (15, 26), or of said two frame parts, for corresponding engagement portions (17, 30) of the collapsible grids (13, 14, 24, 25) in the active configuration,
said at least two modules (11, 18) being stacked onto each other, in the active configuration, with means (19, 20) for fixing the frames or frame parts of a first module (11) to the corresponding frames or frame parts of a second module (18),
said fixing means (19, 20) being of the snap coupling type,
said fixing means (19, 20) being each constituted by a T-shaped element that comprises a first, central portion (44, 45) and second and third, opposite, lateral portions (46, 47, 48, 49),
each T-shaped element comprising four seats (60, 61, 62, 63), a first seat (60) being shaped for the insertion of an end of a lower cross-member of a first module, a second seat (61) being shaped for the insertion of an end portion of a post of said first module, a third seat (62) being shaped for the insertion of an upper cross-member of a second module, and a fourth seat (63) being shaped for the insertion of a post of the second module,
each T-shaped element that defines the fixing means (19, 20) being made in one piece of plastic material.
The tower drying rack according to claim 1, characterized in that each perimetric frame (12, 13, 23, 26) is constituted by two lateral posts (21, 22, 27, 28, 31, 32, 37, 38), a lower cross-member (33, 35, 39, 41) and an upper cross-member (34, 36, 40, 42).
The tower drying rack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said first portions (44, 45) is shaped so as to engage by snap action with an end portion (50) of the upper cross-member (40) of the first frame (23) of the second module (18), and with a corresponding end portion (51) of the lower cross-member (33) of the first frame (12) of the first module (11).
The tower drying rack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said second and third portions (46, 47, 48, 49) is shaped so as to engage by snap action with an end portion (52) of a post (31) of the first frame (12) of the first module (18), while the opposite third portion (47) is shaped so as to engage by snap action with an end portion (53) of a post (37) of the first frame (23) of the second module (18).
The tower drying rack according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each seat (60, 61, 62, 63) has extraction-preventing teeth (65, 66) adapted to retain the end portion of the corresponding cross-member or post within said seat and adapted to produce the snap coupling, upon passage between two opposite extraction-preventing teeth or between two opposite series of extraction-preventing teeth, of a corresponding end portion of a cross-member or post.