ES2598060T3 - Clothesline for drying clothes - Google Patents

Abstract

Traveling clothesline for drying clothes comprising: - a frame that, in use, is formed by vertical (2) uprights, or inclined from 1º to 45º with respect to the vertical, and between which several horizontal bars are interposed ( 3) which form a carrier, - electric heating cords integrated in the bars (2), - a temperature adjustment device (4) attached to the electric heating cords, device that is fixed on the frame, - a power cable power supply (42) connected to the temperature adjustment device (4), a cable that is provided with a power plug (420) intended to be removably plugged into an outlet, - a strut (5) connected to pivoting way to the frame, strut that is movable between a passive position where it is hidden behind the frame and an active position where it is separated from said frame to form with the uprights (2) a stand that serves as floor support to the clothesline (1), - the strut (5) is formed by two parallel feet (50) between which some laying elements (51) are interposed, feet that are fixed to the uprights (2) by means of joints (53) that ensure the mobility of said feet between the passive position and the active position, which is characterized by the fact that the joints (530) are mounted sliding along the uprights (2), allowing means locking position lock said joints on said uprights.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Clothesline for drying clothes Clothing Technical field of the invention

The object of the invention is a traveling clothesline for drying clothes.

It refers to the technical field of domestic equipment used for drying clothes, specifically, indoors. State of the art

Street clotheslines for drying clothes are well known in the prior art. In general, they consist of a folding frame on which one or more articulated laying racks are mounted. In this way, they can be folded almost flat and arranged with a reduced space required when not in use. However, clothing dries hard when the clothesline is not installed in a room that is sufficiently heated and / or too humid. In addition, this type of clothesline is used exclusively to make clothes dry, becoming perfectly useless in its defect.

A heating clothesline is known from EP 1,895,042 (SINCERE INTERNATIONAL TRADING). More particularly, it is known from WO 2008/039086 (HEATED CLOTHES RACK COMPANY), a heating clothesline of the type described in the preamble of the main claim. The articulated structure of this clothesline, when the strut is in active position, is fixed. Therefore, the configuration of the clothesline is limited, which may have consequences on the drying performance.

The invention seeks to remedy this state of affairs. In particular, an objective of the invention is to propose a heating clothesline capable of having multiple configurations.

Another objective of the invention is to increase the drying performance of a traveling clothesline of the type described in WO 2008/039086.

A supplementary objective of the invention is to propose a clothesline whose design is robust, but simple, and whose use is comfortable.

Another objective of the invention is to propose a clothesline that is functionally useful, even when no clothes are laid on it.

Disclosure of the invention

The solution proposed by the invention is a clothesline for drying clothes that includes:

- a framework that, in use, is formed by vertical uprights, or inclined from 1 ° to 45 ° with respect to the vertical, and between which several horizontal bars that form a carrier are interposed,

- electric heating cords integrated in the bars,

- a temperature adjustment device attached to the electric heating cords, device that is fixed on the frame,

- a power supply cable connected to the temperature adjustment device, a cable that is provided with a power plug designed to be removably plugged into an outlet,

- a strut pivotally attached to the frame, a strut that is mobile between a passive position where it is hidden behind the frame and an active position where it is separated from said frame to form a stand that supports the clothesline on the floor with the uprights. ,

- the strut is formed by two parallel feet between which some laying elements are interposed, feet that are fixed to the uprights by means of joints that ensure the mobility of said feet between the passive position and the active position.

This clothesline is remarkable because the joints are mounted sliding to the lake of the uprights, allowing blocking means to block in position said joints on said uprights.

Therefore, this clothesline is provided with heating bars, which in this way allow it to be transformed into a particularly effective electric towel dryer. Also, when this clothesline is devoid of clothes that need to be dried, it works like a perfect walking auxiliary radiator. In addition, its very simple design makes it particularly economical and of little space needed when the strut is in passive position. In this passive position, this clothesline can also be used as a wall-mounted electric radiator (with or without towel dryer function), being fixed on a support wall such as a wall. Therefore, the clothesline object of the invention is multifunctional and can be used for numerous purposes. Finally, when the strut is in active position, defining a certain angle with respect to the uprights, the user has an additional possibility of

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adjust the inclination of said uprights with respect to the vertical adjusting the longitudinal position of the joints.

Below, other advantageous features of the clothesline are listed. Each of these features can be considered alone or in combination with the outstanding features defined above, and be subject, where appropriate, to one or more divisional patent applications:

- The strut can be formed by two parallel feet between which some laying elements are interposed, feet that are fixed to one of the bars by means of joints that ensure the mobility of said feet between the passive position and the active position. In this case, the joints are preferably removable to be able to fix the strut on any bar.

- A connecting cross member, possibly provided with laying elements, is advantageously inserted between the strut and one of the uprights - or one of the bars - in order to maintain the separation of said strut when it is in active position.

- A shelf is preferably pivotally attached to the frame, between a collapsed position where it is hidden behind said frame and an active position where it is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the amounts of said frame. This shelf can be in the form of a U, with interlocking elements interposed between the lateral branches of said U, the ends of said branches being fixed to the upper ends of the uprights by means of joints that ensure the mobility of said shelf between the collapsed position and the active position.

- The temperature adjustment device preferably integrates a thermostat. In this case, a temperature sensor is advantageously connected to the thermostat to allow a regulation of the ambient temperature of a dwelling room, when the clothesline is installed in said room and the power plug is plugged into an outlet, sensor which is preferably integrated at the height of the lower end of one of the uprights.

- The frame can comprise fixing means of said clothesline on a support wall, fixing means that are configured so that the clothesline is detachably hooked on the support wall. These fixing means can be in the form of: - hooks intended to cooperate with loop elements fixed on the support wall, - or loop elements intended to cooperate with hooks fixed on the support wall.

Description of the figures

Other advantages and features of the invention will be better shown after reading the description of a preferred embodiment to be followed, with reference to the attached drawings, made by way of indicative and non-limiting examples and in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front% of a clothesline conforming to the invention, the elements being in active position,

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear% of the clothesline illustrated in Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a profile view of the clothesline illustrated in Figures 1 and 2,

- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front% of a clothesline according to the invention, all the elements being in passive and / or collapsed position,

- Figure 5 is a profile view of the clothesline illustrated in Figure 4,

- Figure 6 is a rear view of the clothesline illustrated in Figures 4 and 5,

- Figure 7 illustrates the use of a clothesline according to the invention, as a wall-mounted radiator.

Preferred modes of realization of the invention

The invention relates to a traveling clothesline for drying clothes. By "walking" it is understood that the clothesline can be manually moved by the user, at will, in order to install it in different places of his choice (eg, a room, an ordering closet, in a garden, etc. ).

In the attached figures, the clothesline 1 comprises a frame that, in use, is formed by two vertical uprights 2 between which several horizontal bars 3 that form a carrier are interposed. Depending on the width of the clothesline 1, one or the other several uprights 2 can also be considered.

The uprights 2 are preferably made of aluminum and coated with paint or varnish. However, they can be made of another metal material such as steel or cast iron, or a non-metallic material of the polymer or compound type. Its length is, for example, between 1m and 2m. They are spaced at a distance between 40 cm to 1 m, distance that corresponds to the width of the clothesline 1. Each upright 2 is in the form of a square section profile (eg: 4 cm x4 cm). However, its section can be circular, rectangular, oval, polygonal, etc. The uprights 2 can be obtained by folding, molding, extrusion, etc.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the clothesline 1 comprises four sets of four

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bars 3. It is more than evident that a higher or lower number of series and / or bars can be considered. In practice, the bars 3 are in the form of cylindrical tubes, whose diameter is, for example, between 1 cm and 5 cm. Its length corresponds to the distance that separates the uprights 2 between those that are interposed. However, its section can be square, rectangular, oval, polygonal, etc. Each bar 3 is preferably made of a heat conducting material, traditionally made of steel, cast iron or aluminum. They are obtained by molding or extrusion and are fixed to the uprights 2 by welding or fitting. They can be coated with paint or varnish.

The bars 3 integrate electric heating cords. The latter are electrically isolated to avoid any risk of electrocution. These heating cords are preferably formed by an electrical resistor surrounded by a double flexible silicone-based sheath. Its length corresponds substantially to that of the bars 3. By "substantially" it is understood that the length of the cords is equal to or slightly shorter, for example in some millimeters or some centimeters, to that of the bars 3. Its external diameter is less to the internal diameter of the bars 2. For optimum heating, the cords may be housed inside a heat sink as explained in WO 2013/107973 (TEXAS DE FRANCE) and to which the expert in the Matter can refer.

At least one end of the cords is terminated in an electrically insulated electrical cable, which allows its connection to a temperature adjustment device 4. This device 4 is fixed on the frame. In the attached figures, it is presented in the form of a housing fixed on one of the uprights 2 by means of classic bolting elements. The device 4 advantageously integrates a thermostat that allows to maintain a desired temperature. In this way, the clothesline 1 can serve as an auxiliary radiator, even when no clothes are laid on it.

A specific control button 40 accessible from the front of the housing 4 (that is, from the front face of the clothesline 1) and attached to the thermostat, allows to adjust the temperature of the bars 3 and / or the desired ambient temperature when the clothesline 1 is used as a radiator. For this, a temperature sensor (not shown) is connected to the thermostat to allow a regulation of the ambient temperature of a dwelling room when the clothesline 1 is used as a radiator. In this way, the clothesline 1 can effectively heat and regulate the ambient temperature of a dwelling room. The best results in terms of temperature regulation are obtained when the temperature sensor is integrated at the height of the lower end of one of the uprights 2. The device 4 can also be provided with a push-button on and off tension , of a timing adjustment button 41, as well as of one or more overheating or temperature limitation safeties.

As this appears in Figures 2 and 3, an electric power cable 42 is connected to the temperature adjusting housing 4. This cable 42, whose length is, for example, between 50 cm and 3 m, is provided with a power plug 420 intended to be removably plugged into an outlet. Therefore, the user can operate the clothesline 1 by plugging it into any outlet of his choice. In the attached figures, the cable 42 is connected to the housing 4, passing into one of the uprights 2 and returning to the height of the lower end of this upright.

A strut 5 is pivotally attached to the clothesline frame 1. This strut 5 is mounted mobile between a passive position where it is hidden behind the frame (figures 4 to 7) and an active position where it is separated from said frame (figures 1 to 3).

In the passive position, the strut 5 is next to the rear face of the uprights 2: it is located in the same plane or in a plane next to said uprights.

In the active position, the strut 5 forms with the uprights 2, a stand that supports the clothesline on the floor 1. In other words, the strut 5 and the uprights 2 form a compass structure. When the clothesline 1 is used in one of its functionalities and when it is placed on the ground with the strut 5 in active position, the uprights 2 are inclined from 1 ° to 45 ° with respect to the vertical.

Referring to FIG. 2, the strut 5 is formed by two parallel feet 50 between which interlocking elements 51 are interposed.

The feet 50 are each presented in the form of a profile made of steel, plastic or composite, possibly covered with paint or varnish, and whose section is square, circular, rectangular (for example: 0.5 cm x 2 cm ), oval, polygonal, etc. Its length is, for example, between 50 cm and 1.5 m. This length is such that the lower end 501 of the feet 50 does not exceed the lower end of the uprights 2 when the strut is in passive position (Figures 5 to 7). In the attached figures, the feet 50 are spaced at a distance that substantially corresponds to the spacing of the two uprights 2. However, they may be spaced a smaller distance in the case where they are articulated on one of the bars 3. The feet 50 they can have their lower end 501 bevelled or mounted on a ball head, to optimize their support on the ground.

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To simplify the design, the laying elements 51 are presented in the form of plastic rods or plastic sheathed steel, fixed by means of fitting, glueing or welding on the feet 50. Their diameter is, for example, between 0.5 cm and 1 cm. Its length corresponds to the distance that separates the 50 feet. Its section is preferably cylindrical, but a square, rectangular, oval, polygonal section can be provided. In the attached figures, the strut 5 comprises a series of five laying elements 51. It is more than evident that a higher or lower number of series and / or laying elements can be considered.

The feet 50 are preferably fixed to the uprights 2 by means of articulations 530 that ensure the mobility of said feet between the passive position and the active position. These joints 530 are mounted sliders along the uprights 2, allowing blocking means to block said joints on position in said uprights. Thus, when the strut 5 is in active position, defining a certain angle with respect to the uprights 2, the user has an additional possibility of adjusting the inclination of said uprights with respect to the vertical by adjusting the longitudinal position of the joints 530 .

In Figure 2, the joints 53 are presented in the form of U-shaped metal pieces obtained by folding and fixed on the rear face of the uprights 2. The upper end 500 of the feet 50 is inserted between the lateral branches of the U and it is held in position by means of a pin 530 that forms the axis of horizontal rotation. Each U 530 joint is mounted mobile in translation on a rail 531 made in the post 2 to which it is associated. To simplify the design, this rail 531 is in the form of a longitudinal groove located on the rear face of the post 2 and obtained during the folding of the latter. The base of the U-joint 53 has a sliding carriage element (not shown) mounted on the rail 531. The latter, as well as the carriage element, can include notches that allow the joints 530 to be locked in position on the uprights 2 It can also be considered to block the sliding of the joints 530 by means of a pin system. By adjusting the position of the joints 530 along the uprights 2, the user can accommodate the inclination of the uprights 2.

In an active position, it is advantageous to be able to block -or maintain- the separation of the strut 5 with respect to the uprights 2, in order to effectively stabilize the clothesline 1. To do this, a connecting cross member 6 is inserted between the strut 5 and one of the uprights 2 -or one of the bars 3-. In Figures 2 and 3, the uprights 2, the strut 5 and the crossbar 60 are arranged to form a structure of A, said crossbar being located in a horizontal or substantially horizontal plane.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the cross member 6 is formed by two parallel bars 60 between which are preferably, but not necessarily, interposed laying elements 61. The bars 60 and the laying elements 61 are similar to the elements 51 described above. The elements 61 are, for example, fixed by welding on the bars 60.

The bars 60 are mounted mobile in rotation on one of the laying elements 51 of the strut 5. To do this, the corresponding end of the bars 60 is looped around the laying element 51. The other end is formed on a hook of so that the cross member 6 can be detachably hooked on a bar 3. It is more than evident that an inverse configuration can be considered where the bars 60 are mounted mobile in rotation on one of the bars 3 and are hooked on the laying elements 51.

When the strut 5 is in a hidden position, and as this appears clearly in Figure 5, the crossbar 6 is next to the rear face of the uprights 2, concealed in the thickness of the feet 50. And when the strut 5 is in an active position, it is sufficient for the user to swing the cross member 6 around the laying element 51 (or the bar 3) and hook it on one of the bars 3 (or the laying elements 51).

As this appears in the attached figures, a shelf 7 is advantageously pivotally attached to the clothesline frame 1, between a collapsed position where it is hidden behind said frame (figures 4 to 6) and an active position where it is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular to the uprights 2 (figures 1 to 3).

In the attached figures, the shelf 7 is in the form of a U, U comprising a transverse branch 72 of which each end is provided with a lateral branch 70. This U-shape is obtained, for example, by folding a profile made of steel, plastic or composite, eventually coated with paint or varnish, and whose section is square, circular, rectangular (e.g. 0.5 cm x 2 cm), oval, polygonal, etc. . The transverse branch 72 has a length corresponding to the spacing of the two uprights 2. The length of the lateral branches 70 is, for example, between 10 cm and 50 cm.

Laying elements 71 are interposed between the lateral branches 70 of the U. These laying elements 71 are similar to the elements 51 and 61 described above. The elements 71 are, for example, fixed by welding on the lateral branches 70.

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The ends 700 of the side branches 70 are fixed to the upper ends 200 of the uprights 2 by means of joints 73 that ensure the mobility of the shelf 7 between the collapsed position and the active position. The joints 73 are in the form of U-shaped metal pieces obtained by folding and fixed on the rear face of the uprights 2. The ends 700 of the lateral branches 70 are inserted between the lateral branches of the U and held in position by means of a pin 730 that forms the axis of horizontal rotation. As this appears clearly in Figures 3 and 5, the rotation axes 730 are offset to the height of the rear face of the uprights 2. In this configuration, when the shelf 7 is in passive position, it is next to the face rear of the uprights 2: as for the strut 5, it is located in the same plane or in a plane next to said uprights. When the shelf 7 is in active position, the lateral branches become supported on the upper end 200 of the uprights 2, ends that form a stop.

When all the elements are deployed, or in an active position (figure 1), the clothesline 1 offers an important capacity for laying clothes, in particular, due to the large number of laying elements 51, 61, 71 and bars 3. Then, the user can use the clothesline 1 as is or, conversely, plug it into an outlet, in order to activate the heating of the bars 3 and accelerate drying. You can also use clothesline 1 as an auxiliary radiator, without clothes to dry. When all the elements are folded (figure 5), the clothesline 1 is flat and relatively thin, its thickness corresponding to that of the uprights 2 and the strut 5 (and / or the shelf 6).

In the stowed position, and as this is illustrated in Figure 7, the clothesline 1 can be used as a wall-mounted radiator, with a towel dryer function due to the presence of the bars 3. In this use, the uprights 2 are vertical

The frame comprises fixing means 8 on a support wall S. The latter is, for example, a vertical wall. These fixing means 8 are configured so that the clothesline 1 is detachably hooked on the support wall S. In this way, the user can initially use the clothesline 1 as a radiator towel dryer mural hooking it on the wall S. Then If the user wishes to increase the laying capacity, it is sufficient for him to unhook the clothesline 1 and unfold the strut so that it can rest on the ground. After having dried their clothes, then the user can fold the clothesline 1 and hook it again onto the support wall S.

To simplify the design, and facilitate the handling of the clothesline 1, the fixing means 8 can be in the form of hooks intended to cooperate with loop elements 80 fixed on the support wall S. These hooks 8 are, for example, fixed by screwing or welding on the rear face of the uprights 2, at the height of its upper end and possibly at the height of its lower end. The elements in loops 80 are presented, for example, in the form of fixing pins in stirrup, plate with ring, etc. It will be readily understood that the reverse configuration can be considered, that is, loop elements fixed on the frame and intended to cooperate with hooks fixed on the support wall.

The arrangement of the different elements and / or means and / or stages of the invention, in the embodiments described above, should not be understood as requiring such a provision in all implementations. In any case, it will be understood that various modifications can be made to these elements and / or means and / or stages, without separating from the spirit and the scope of the invention. In particular, they can be considered: - other means that allow the feet 50 to be articulated on the clothesline frame; - other forms of rails in which the 530 joints run; - other devices that allow to maintain the strut 5 in its active position.

Claims (10)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 Four. Five fifty 55 1. Street clothesline for drying clothes comprising: - a frame that, in use, is formed by vertical (2) uprights, or inclined from 1 ° to 45 ° with respect to the vertical, and between which several horizontal bars (3) that form a carrier, are interposed, - electric heating cords integrated in the bars (2), - a temperature adjustment device (4) attached to the electric heating cords, device that is fixed on the frame, - a power supply cable (42) connected to the temperature adjustment device (4), a cable that is provided with a mains plug (420) intended to be removably plugged into an outlet, - a strut (5) pivotally attached to the frame, a strut that is movable between a passive position where it is hidden behind the frame and an active position where it is separated from said frame to form with the uprights (2) a stand that serves as floor support to the clothesline (1), - the strut (5) is formed by two parallel feet (50) between which some laying elements (51) are interposed, feet that are fixed to the uprights (2) by means of joints (53) that ensure the mobility of said feet between the passive position and the active position, characterized by the fact that the joints (530) are mounted sliders along the uprights (2), allowing blocking means to block in position said joints on said uprights. 2. Clothesline according to claim 1, wherein a connecting cross member (6) is inserted between the strut (5) and one of the uprights (2) - or one of the bars (3) -, in order to maintain the separation of said strut when it is in active position. 3. Clothesline according to claim 2, wherein the crossbar (6) is provided with laying elements (61). 4. Clothesline according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a shelf (7) is pivotally attached to the frame, between a collapsed position where it is hidden behind said frame and an active position where it is perpendicular, or substantially perpendicular, to the uprights (2) of said framework. 5. Clothesline according to claim 4, in which the shelf (7) is in the form of a U, with laying elements (71) interposed between the lateral branches (70) of said U, the ends being (700 ) of said branches fixed to the upper ends (200) of the uprights (2) by means of joints (73) that ensure the mobility of said shelf between the collapsed position and the active position. 6. Clothesline according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the temperature adjustment device (4) integrates a thermostat. 7. Clothesline according to claim 6, wherein a temperature sensor is connected to the thermostat to allow a regulation of the ambient temperature of a dwelling room, when said clothesline is installed in said room and the mains plug (420) It is plugged into an outlet. 8. Clothesline according to claim 7, wherein the temperature sensor is integrated at the height of the lower end of one of the uprights (2). 9. Clothesline according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame comprises fixing means (8) of said clothesline on a support wall (S), fixing means that are configured so that said clothesline (1) is detachable hook on the support wall. 10. Clothesline according to claim 9, wherein the fixing means (8) are presented in the form: - of hooks (8) intended to cooperate with loop elements (80) fixed on the support wall (S), - or of loop elements intended to cooperate with hooks fixed on the support wall.