FR2826673A3 - Rotary washing line has a telescopic support shaft for compact storage and for adjusting the height of the lines - Google Patents

Abstract

A rotary washing line is improved by a telescopic main support shaft (2). This enables the system to be collapsed for compact storage. The shaft has a selection of extended settings to enable the user to set the height of the washing lines for ease of access. The telescopic sections are locked together into the selected settings by locking pegs inserted through holes in the sections.

Description

<Desc / Clms Page number 1>

The present invention relates to a clotheshorse, with a post which carries a hanging device for laundry.

Clothes lines are used for drying clothes and are generally used outdoors. They have a pole oriented vertically in service, which is most often fixed by being inserted into a ground socket fixed in the ground. The hanging device can be moved between a folded position against the post and one or more deployed positions and is equipped with carrying arms, which carry ropes on which, in the deployed state, the laundry to be dried can be hung.

Current clotheslines are relatively bulky and occupy relatively a lot of space even in the folded position of the hanging device.

The objective of the present invention is to create a clotheshorse which allows easier handling.

To achieve this objective, it is expected that the post will be shaped as a telescopic tube of variable length.

Thus, it is possible to adapt the length of the post to the needs of the moment. The handling of the drying rack is considerably simplified.

The telescopic constitution of the post can open, for example, the possibility of obtaining by interlocking a compact length for transporting the drying rack. In addition, on the basis of the idea of the invention, provision may be made to impose, by modifying the length of the post, a height of the deployed hanging device adapted to the scope of the person using the drying rack.

The telescopic tube sections of the post are in particular positionable in a basic position in which they engage one another coaxially with at least most of their length. This basic position is particularly suitable for transporting the drying rack from its place of purchase to its place of use. It also reduces the logistical demands on the manufacturer and the distribution chain.

It can further be provided that the telescopic tube sections are positionable in one or more service positions, in which, relative to the basic position, they assume a more extended position.

This makes it possible to adapt the height of the hooking device in service.

It is possible to provide a clotheshorse only with the possibility of imposing a basic position or, as a variant, the possibility of imposing one or more

<Desc / Clms Page number 2>

 several service positions.

 In all cases, immobilization means are desirable in order to fix the telescopic tube sections immobile with respect to one another, but removable, in the chosen relative position.

 The immobilization means can comprise, for example, a stop pin which, in the relative position to be fixed, can be introduced into aligned holes in the sections of telescopic tubes. The locking pin can operate by pressing in or by screwing.

 An embodiment is particularly advantageous in which an external positioning hole is provided in the outer tube section generally carrying the hooking device and in which the inner tube section can be inserted more or less far into the outer tube has a row of inner positioning holes extending in the telescopic opening direction, holes which can be optionally placed in coincidence with the outer positioning hole to allow the insertion of the locking pin and thus stabilize the post in different discrete positions. It goes without saying that instead of the locking pin, other equivalent means can also be used.

 In order to make the dimensions of the clotheshorse more compact, the hooking device can be advantageously shaped so that, in the position folded against the post, it has an outer contour extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post.

 The objective mentioned above is achieved, with a clotheshorse of the type mentioned in the introduction, by the fact that the hanging device has several pivoting tension arms distributed around the circumference of the post, which are articulated at one end at the above the post on an upper support fixed to the post and which are articulated at the other end to carrying arms also distributed on the circumference of the post and carrying a guying, which are pivotally mounted on a lower support which can slide relative to the post .

 The articulation points of the tension arms on the post side being thus above the post, we have, compared to a system placed at the level of the outer circumference of the post, a much greater flexibility in terms of positioning of the points of articulation, and an optimization is therefore possible because the hanging device has dimensions

<Desc / Clms Page number 3>

 extremely reduced transverse when it is folded against the post. It is for example possible to provide the articulation points directly at the level of the extended circumferential contour of the post, or radially inside the latter.

 From this point of view, it is advantageous that the upper support has at the circumference of each articulation point a recess extending in the zone situated radially inside the extended circumferential contour of the post, recess which allows a depression of the end zone of the associated tension arm. The pivoting movement of the tension arms is therefore not hampered.

 It is also possible to make the bent tension arms in the upper end area, so that with the hooking device folded against the post, they can easily be placed laterally against the post and then extend parallel to the post over most of their length.

 The measurements relating to the telescopic pole and the measurements relating to the pivoting mounting of the tension arms above the pole can be carried out independently of each other on a clotheshorse. However, a particularly advantageous construction is obtained when the measures concerned are taken simultaneously.

The invention will be described in detail in what follows using the accompanying sketches. Are represented :
FIG. 1: a side view of a preferred embodiment of the drying rack according to the present invention in partial section and shortened in length, the hanging device shown partially being shown in a deployed position making it possible to hang laundry,
FIG. 2: the drying rack of FIG. 1 in the folded position against the post of the hanging device and with the tube sections of the telescopic post interlocked as much as possible in one another in a basic position for transport purposes, and
Figure 3: a top view of the drying rack with the hanging device folded against the post, looking from above according to the arrow! ti.

 The drying rack generally represented by the reference number 1 has a post 2 having a generally circular section, which carries a hanging device 3 composed of several elements for hanging laundry.

<Desc / Clms Page number 4>

 In service, it is expected that the drying rack 1 is fixed with its post 2 in an appropriate soil. This is advantageously done by driving the post 2 with its lower end section 4 into a ground socket 5 anchored in the ground. In the use position thus defined, the post 2 is oriented vertically.

 The attachment device 3 has several tension arms 6 distributed over the circumference of the post 2, four in number in the embodiment.

 In addition, the attachment device 3 comprises an equal number of pivoting support arms 7 also distributed over the circumference of the post 2. The tension arms 6 and the support arms 7 are in pairs in the same circumferential position of the post 2.

 On the post 2 there is an upper support 8. It rests like a cap on the upper end section 12 of the post 2 oriented upwards in service, preferably engaging a certain distance in the post 2 with a fixing extension 13. Preferably, the upper support 8 is made of a plastic material and is shaped to be fixed in the post 2 by tight adjustment.

 At an axial distance from the upper support 8 is provided on the post 2 a lower support 4. The latter also advantageously consists of a plastic material. It is shaped as a socket or ring and surrounds the post 2, being able to slide along the longitudinal axis 16 of the post 2 in the direction of the double arrow 15.

 The support arms 7 are pivoted back and forth with their lower end sections 17a on the lower support 14. The associated articulation points are designated by 18.

 The tension arms 6 are pivoted back and forth with their upper end sections 22a on the upper support 8. The associated articulation points are designated by 23.

 The support arms 7 have a length greater than that of the tension arms 6. With their lower end sections 22b, the tension arms are pivotally fixed to the support arm 7 respectively associated at the level of a pivot point 24, which is placed between the lower end section 17a and the upper end section 17b opposite to the latter of the supporting arm 7 concerned. For example, pivot points 24 may be approximately in the middle or slightly below the middle between

<Desc / Clms Page number 5>

 the end sections 17a, 17b.

 The respective pivot axes of the pivot points 24 and articulation points 18, 23 of a pair of support arms 7 and tension arms 6 extend parallel to each other at right angles to the axis longitudinal 16.

 The carrying arms 7 carry a strut of clotheslines, not shown in detail, which makes it possible to hang laundry.

 The attachment device 3 is movable between a non-used position folded back against the post 2, visible in FIGS. 2 and 3, and at least one deployed position allowing use, shown by way of example in FIG. 1.

 In the folded position, the lower support 14 assumes a position displaced as far as possible downwards, with a maximum distance from the upper support 8. The support arms 7 and the tension arms 6 are here folded against the post 2, the arms tension 6 and the carrying arms 7 being oriented at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 16 of the post 2. The outer contour of the attachment device 3 here advantageously extends also at least substantially parallel to the post 2. De in this way, the drying rack 1 has very compact transverse dimensions, even at the level of the attachment device.

 In order to bring the drying rack 1 into the position of use, the support arms 7 are unfolded radially downwards and outwards relative to the tube 2 with their free upper end zones 17b. They pivot for this around the articulation points 18. As the pivot points 24 move outward at the same time, there is a synchronized pivoting of the tension arms 6 outward and upward around their points of articulation 23.

 This unfolding operation is associated with a sliding movement of the lower support 14 along the post 2, in the direction of the top and of the upper support 8. The unfolding operation is stopped when the carrying arms 7 take the desired spread position, shown by way of example in FIG. 1. The deployed position thus reached is maintained by the fact that the lower support 14 is fixed immovably on the post 2.

 In the exemplary embodiment, this fixing is provided by a pin-type fixing element 25, which can be inserted into a hole 26 in the post 2 below the lower support 14 moved upwards, so that

<Desc / Clms Page number 6>

 the lower support 14 can rest on it.

 In the exemplary embodiment, several holes 26 spaced from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the post 2 are provided, which can be used alternatively to be able to fix the lower support 14 variably at different heights and power thus variably impose the scope of the attachment device 3.

 The fixing of the lower support 14 could also be guaranteed by other immobilization measures, for example by an elastic latching element.

 During transport and when not in use, the hooking device 3 is preferably brought into the folded position against the post 2. The support arms 7, which advantageously have a U-shaped section, are oriented in such a way that their U-shaped opening 27 on the longitudinal side are turned towards the post 2. Thus, the tension arm 6 associated with each support arm 7 has the possibility of being inserted longitudinally into the support arm 7 concerned (Figures 2 and 3).

 The transverse dimensions also advantageously benefit from the extent to which the articulation points 23 are located between the tension arms 6 and the upper support 8 above the post 2. The placement of the articulation points 23 is not therefore not bothered by the pole 2. In particular, it is possible to place the articulation points 23 closer to the longitudinal axis 16 of the pole 2 than if one had to stick to a position on the outer circumference of the pole 2. This in turn opens up the possibility of placing and configuring the tension arms 6 so that, in the folded position of the hooking device 3, they are very close to the pole 2. The same thing applies to the folded support arms 7.

 From this point of view, a very advantageous measure is that carried out in the exemplary embodiment, according to which the upper support 8 has a recess 28 in the circumferential zone of each articulation point 23, recess which is located radially at the inside the circumferential contour 32 of the post 2 extended upwards and shown in dotted lines. These recesses 28 allow penetration of the end region 33 of the support arm 6 associated with the point of articulation 23 concerned.

 Thus, the articulation points 23 can be provided outside in the immediate vicinity of the circumferential contour 32 extended or entirely or partially inside radially of this circumferential contour 32, without

<Desc / Clms Page number 7>

 impede the pivoting movement of the tension arms 6.

 This results in optimum freedom for the design and the longitudinal dimensions of the support arms 7. Even when these, in the folded state against the post 2, protrude upwards with their upper end sections 17b beyond the articulation points 33 (Figure 2), their folding against the post 2 is not prevented, because the articulation points 23 can be very far inside radially.

 In the exemplary embodiment, there is provided on the upper support 8, at the various articulation points 23, each time a bolt 34 for the pivoting mounting of a tension arm 6, which is directly adjacent to the contour extended circumference 32 of post 2 on the outside or is at least partially inside radially of this extended circumferential contour 32. It extends between a pair of parallel support walls 39, which project radially outwards and which are also intended to receive the end zone of the upper end section 17b of the associated support arm 7 in the folded-down state. The four pairs of support walls 39 present in the embodiment are arranged 900 from one another and give the upper support 8 an outer star-shaped outline when viewed from above.

 It is particularly advantageous for the tension arms 6 to be bent in the upper end region 33, as in the embodiment, in particular bent on the order of 45. The tension arms 6 are thus able to grasp the upper end part of the post 2 and, without protruding at the oblique of the post 2, then to extend next to the post 2 parallel to it.

 Another advantageous characteristic of the drying rack 1 is that the post 2 is shaped like a telescopic tube of variable length.

 In the exemplary embodiment, the post 2 has an outer section of tube 35 in which engages an inner section of tube 36 which can slide telescopically.

 The hooking device 3 is located on the outer section of the tube 35, which is at the top when the drying rack 1 is unfolded. The inner section of tube 36, which is thus located at the bottom, serves to fix the drying rack 1 in the ground, in the embodiment by pushing it into the ground socket 5.

 The length of the outer tube section 35 should be advantageously chosen at least in such a way that it extends over the entire

<Desc / Clms Page number 8>

 maximum sliding range of the lower support 14. The arrangement is chosen in particular so that the lower support 14 is at the lower end of the outer section of tube 35 when the hooking device is folded down.

 In the exemplary embodiment, the two sections of telescopic tube 35, 36 can be placed in a basic position shown in FIG. 2, in which they engage one another on at least the major part of their length.

 To impose the maximum insertion depth of the inner tube section 36, suitable stop means 37 are provided. These include, in the embodiment, a projection 38 provided on the outer section of tube 35 and protruding inside thereof, a projection that the lower section of tube 36 can reach with its upper end 42.

 By a suitable positioning of the abutment means 37, it can be guaranteed that the inner section of tube 36 inserted in the basic position exceeds in all cases a minimum distance at the bottom of the outer section of tube 35 - in FIG. 2 , the section that comes out is marked with 43-, in order to simplify handling during extraction.

 Appropriate immobilization means 44 make it possible to fix the telescopic tube sections 35, 36 in the chosen basic position, in a stationary manner with respect to each other.

 The basic position of the telescopic tube sections 35,36 is particularly suitable for transporting the drying rack, for example in a vehicle after purchase or from the manufacturer to the point of sale.

 For use, the tube sections 35, 36 are extended to take up a determined service position, which corresponds to the desired height of the drying rack 1. The possibility exists of shaping the drying rack 1 in such a way that the tube sections 35,36 can be positioned in a single predetermined service position. In contrast, the embodiment has the advantage that several service positions are possible, which produce variable longitudinal dimensions by a more or less significant depression of the tube sections into one another.

 In this way, it is possible to adapt the height of the drying rack 1 and in particular the height of the hanging device 3 to the size of the person using the drying rack 1. The possibility of positioning the telescopic tube sections 35, 36 in one or more service positions is provided to

<Desc / Clms Page number 9>

 advantageously in addition to the positioning cited in a basic position facilitating transport.

 For the service positions, it remains true that the telescopic tube sections 35, 36 can be detachably immobilized by immobilization means 44 in the existing relative positions.

 The immobilization means 44 comprise in the embodiment an external positioning hole 45 placed on the external tube section 35 of the post 2. The internal tube section 36 is provided with a plurality of internal positioning holes 46 placed spaced from each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis 16 of the post 2, a row of holes extending in the telescopic direction may be provided. The distances between the various internal positioning holes 46 impose the possible steps for adjusting the length.

 As part of the telescopic movement, the tube sections 35, 36 can be positioned in relation to each other that a chosen internal positioning hole 46 is aligned with the external positioning hole 45. Through the aligned positioning holes 45,46 can then be introduced from the outside a stop pin 47. It serves as a stop and ensures axially fixed immobilization by positive engagement of the telescopic tube sections 35,36.

 As in the exemplary embodiment, the stop pin 47 can be a pluggable stop pin. Alternatively, a screw version is also possible, in which the stop pin 47 advantageously engages in a thread of the outer section of tube 35 and, if necessary, can be screwed into an internal positioning hole. 46 placed in coincidence.

 It goes without saying that other stop measures are possible to fix the telescopic tube sections 35, 36 in the desired relative position.

Claims (18)

1. Clothes horse, with a post (2) which carries a hooking device (3) for laundry, characterized in that the post (2) is shaped as a telescopic tube of variable length.  2. Clotheshorse according to claim 1, characterized in that the telescopic tube sections (35,36) are positionable in a basic position in which they engage one with the other with at least the largest part of their length.  3. Clothes line according to claim 3, characterized in that the telescopic tube sections (35,36) can be positioned in one or more service positions, in which, relative to the basic position, they assume a more extended.  4. Clothes line according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the telescopic tube sections (35,36) are positionable in several service positions, in which they engage one in the other over different distances.  5. Clothes line according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that immobilization means (44) are present in order to fix the telescopic tube sections (35,36) immobile one with respect to to the other in the chosen relative position.  6. Clothes line according to claim 5, characterized in that the immobilization means (44) comprise a stop pin (47) which, in the relative position to be fixed, can be inserted into positioning holes (45 , 46) aligned sections of telescopic tubes (35,36).  7. Clothes line according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop pin (47) can operate by pressing in or by screwing.  8. Clotheshorse according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that there is provided an outer positioning hole (45) in the outer tube section (35) and in that the inner tube section (36) has a row of internal positioning holes (46) extending in the telescopic opening direction, which can be optionally coincident with the external positioning hole (45) to allow the insertion of the pin d '' judgment (47).  9. Clothes line according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outer tube section (35) is placed at the top and is provided with the <Desc / Clms Page number 11>  hanging device (3).  10. Clothes horse according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the hooking device (3) is movable between a folded position against the post (2) and at least one deployed position allowing to hang the laundry.  11. Clothes line according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the folded position against the post, the outer contour of the hooking device (3) extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (16) post (2).  12. Clothes line according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the attachment device (3) has a lower support (14) mounted movably on the post (2) in the longitudinal direction thereof, support which, during folding and unfolding of the hooking device (3), is moved between a lowered position when the hooking device (3) is folded down and at least one raised position when the hooking device (3) is deployed.  13. Clothes line according to claim 12, characterized in that the tube section (35) of the post (2) which carries the hanging device (3) is made such in length that the lower support (14) is place at the lower end of this section of tube (35) in the folded position of the hooking device (3).  14. Clothes line with a pole (2) which carries a hanging device (3) for laundry, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the hanging device (3) has several tension arms (6) distributed around the circumference of the post (2), which are articulated at one end above the post (2) on an upper support (8) fixed to the post (2) and which are articulated at the other end to carrying arms (7) also distributed over the circumference of the post and carrying a guying, which are pivotally mounted on a lower support (14) which can slide relative to the post (2).  15. Clothes line according to claim 14, characterized in that the upper support (8) has at the circumference of the point of articulation (23) of each tension arm (6) a recess (28) extending in the zone located radially inside the extended circumferential contour (32) of the post (2), a recess which allows a depression of the end zone (33) of the associated tension arm (6). <Desc / Clms Page number 12>  16. Clothes line according to claim 15, characterized in that it is provided on the upper support (8), at the articulation points (23), each time a bolt (34) for a tension arm (6), which is directly adjacent to the extended circumferential contour (32) of the post (2) on the outside, or which is at least partially inside radially of this extended circumferential contour (32).  17. Clothes line according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the tension arms (6) are bent in the upper end zone (33), and, when the hooking device is folded against the post (2) extend parallel to the post (2) with their longitudinal section located longitudinally next to the post (2).  18. Clothes line according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that, when the hooking device is folded against the post (2), the tension arms (9) are inserted into each a support arm (7) of the hooking device (3) with an orientation at least substantially parallel thereto.