GB1604868A

GB1604868A - Washing hanger

Info

Publication number: GB1604868A
Application number: GB2408778A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TAY KIAN HUAT; TEO YAU SING
Current assignee: TAY KIAN HUAT; TEO YAU SING
Priority date: 1978-05-30
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-12-16

Description

(54) WASHING HANGER (71) We, TEO YAU SING, of 128A, Coronation Road West, Singapore (10), and TAY KIAN HUAT, of 177, Lorong Sigar, Singapore (23), both Citizens of the Republic of Singapore, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a device for hanging washing to dry which may be loaded inside a room and then extended, for example through a window, so that the washing may dry outside.

In certain countries, e.g. Singapore, highrise flat dwellers often dry their washing by hanging the washing on bamboo poles extending outward from the wall of the building and positioned beneath a window. A number of open-ended sockets, e.g. five, are normally provided to support the poles.

Disadvantages of this method of drying washing include the fact that the pole may come out of its retaining socket, the washing then scattering over a wide area. Also, whether the washing is loaded onto the pole before or after the pole is located in its socket, it is necessary for a person to lean out of the window, which may be dangerous.

The present invention provides a device for hanging washing to dry, which comprises a frame adapted to be secured in a position adjacent an aperture in a room wall, a hanger assembly for hanging washing thereon and including a central longitudinal member hung below the frame, and a runner assembly mounted on the hanger assembly for running along a longitudinal member of the frame so as to allow movement of the hanger assembly from a retracted position within the room to an extended position wherein at least a part of the hanger assembly is disposed outside the room.

The runner assembly is preferably arranged to run inside a C-section channel member comprising the longitudinal member of the frame.

Preferably the runner assembly further comprises two pylons spaced apart and mounted at respective lower ends on the hanger assembly, an upper end of each pylon carrying a pair of ball-races running inside the C-section channel member. The use of ball-races allows the hanger assembly to be easily moved even when heavily loaded.

A stop may be provided at a forward end of the channel member, the stop co-operating with a catch provided at a forward end of the runner assembly for retaining the hanger assembly in the extended position. In this position provision may be made for closing the window again, as is described hereafter.

The central longitudinal member of the hanger assembly is preferably provided with a plurality of eyes, and the hanger assembly preferably further comprises a pair of aluminium rods attached on either side of and parallel to the central member and spaced therefrom. With the exception of the rods, which are preferably aluminium to avoid corrosion, the device is usually made of mild steel.

Advantageously, the frame comprises brackets for securing the frame to the ceiling of a room and to a wall of the room above a window thereof. However, provision may be made for securing the device to other rigid parts of the structure of the building, e.g. the floor according to particular requirements.

The device is convenient to use and moreover may be retracted completely into the room so as to allow the window to be shut in bad weather. Usually the device will be installed in a kitchen or bathroom but, since it is possible to walk underneath the device if installed close to the ceiling, might even be located in a living room.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the embodiment in a retracted position and installed adjacent a window aperture; Figure 2 is an end elevation of the embodiment as viewed from the right hand end in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a sectional elevation along line A-A of Figure 1.

Figures 1 and 2 show the device mounted by brackets to a ceiling 1 and outside wall 2 of a room in a flat. The window aperture of the room is generally indicated at 3.

As shown in Figure 1 and 2, the device comprises an inverted C-section mild steel longitudinal channel member 4 secured to the ceiling and outside wall by brackets 5, 5', and a clothes hanger assembly 6 which is supported by the member 4 and is moveable relative thereto by means of a runner assembly 8 engaging inner surfaces of the Cchannel member 4.

As may be seen more clearly from Figure 2, in order to provide good support for the Cchannel member 4 and rigidity against transverse movement, each bracket 5 consists of an upright square section hollow member 11 welded to a transverse angle member 12.

Stays 13 are also provided and are welded at a lower end 16 to the member 11 and at an upper end to member 12. The brackets 5 are secured to the ceiling by nuts and bolts 14, and are bolted at the other end to brackets 15 welded on the channel member 4.

At a forward end, channel member 4 is secured to the outside wall just above the window aperture 3 by bracket 5' made up of three welded pieces 27 of angle-iron, as may be seen from Figure 3.

Clothes hanger assembly 6 carries various means for hanging clothes therefrom, including eyes 21 for supporting conventional wire clothes hangers and a pair of tubular aluminium rods 19 over which washing may be hung to dry. Clearly, other means such as pegs or a circular carousel might be also provided on assembly 6 according to particular needs. The hanger assembly 6 is moveable along channel member 4 so as to allow the assembly to project through the window aperture 3 and allow the washing to dry outside the room.

The hanger assembly 6 comprises a square section hollow central member 17. The two aluminium rods 19 are carried on either side of the central member 17 by transverse angle-section support members 18 and 22 bolted to the central member. The eyes 21 are mounted on the central member 17, and may be for example 30 in number.

It will be noted that support member 18 is located part-way along the central member 17, so that when the hanger assembly is slid as far out of the window as possible i.e. fully extended, all the washing is outside the room.

At this stage it may be possible to close part of the window again, particularly if the window consists of a lower sliding pane and an upper flap, as will be described hereafter.

At a backward end of the central member 17 is provided a rubber block 23 to prevent injury to anyone accidently bumping into the device.

The runner assembly 8 comprises two pylons 7 welded on either side to plates 24.

At an upper end, each pylon 7 carries a pair of ball-races (not shown) which run within the C-channel member 4. Bolt 26 which passes through the backward end of the channel member retains the runner assembly. At a forward end the channel member 4 carries a stop 10 in the form of a strip-metal loop (Figure 3) through which the tongue of a stopper 9 mounted on the foremost pylon 7 projects when the hanger assembly is fully extended. A retaining lug 25 is provided on stopper 9 which acts as a catch to retain the hanger assembly in the fully extended position.

The hanger assembly 6 is bolted to the runner assembly 8 by bolts 20 passing through the central member 17.

Operation of the device is as follows.

In the retracted position shown in Figure 1, washing is hung from the rods 19 and on the eyes 21 by means of clothes hangers.

Many high-rise flats have sliding grills which enable the glass windows to be opened whilst preventing people, particularly children, from falling out. When modified by removal of an upper portion, the grill may be slid back into place after the washing has been put-out and so prevent accidents. Thus, the glass window, which may be a casement or a sliding window, and the grill are then opened and the hanger assembly 6 slid out of the window along the channel member 4 until locked in position by retaining lug 25 and stop 10.

The modified grill is then slid back into place and the washing allowed to dry.

Clearly a similar procedure may be followed if the window has an upper flap and a lower opening pane provided that the intervening frame member is adapted so as to be removable.

The dry washing may be retrieved by a reversal of the above procedure. A chain may be attached to the backward end of the central member 17 to facilitate retraction of the hanger assembly.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A device for hanging washing to dry, which comprises a frame adapted to be secured in a position adjacent an aperture in a room wall, a hanger assembly for hanging washing thereon and including a central longitudinal member hung below the frame, and a runner assembly mounted on the hanger assembly for running along a longitudinal member of the frame so as to allow movement of the hanger assembly from a retracted position within the room to an extended position wherein at least a part of the hanger assembly is disposed outside the room.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the runner assembly is arranged to run inside a C-section channel member

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. by brackets to a ceiling 1 and outside wall 2 of a room in a flat. The window aperture of the room is generally indicated at 3. As shown in Figure 1 and 2, the device comprises an inverted C-section mild steel longitudinal channel member 4 secured to the ceiling and outside wall by brackets 5, 5', and a clothes hanger assembly 6 which is supported by the member 4 and is moveable relative thereto by means of a runner assembly 8 engaging inner surfaces of the Cchannel member 4. As may be seen more clearly from Figure 2, in order to provide good support for the Cchannel member 4 and rigidity against transverse movement, each bracket 5 consists of an upright square section hollow member 11 welded to a transverse angle member 12. Stays 13 are also provided and are welded at a lower end 16 to the member 11 and at an upper end to member 12. The brackets 5 are secured to the ceiling by nuts and bolts 14, and are bolted at the other end to brackets 15 welded on the channel member 4. At a forward end, channel member 4 is secured to the outside wall just above the window aperture 3 by bracket 5' made up of three welded pieces 27 of angle-iron, as may be seen from Figure 3. Clothes hanger assembly 6 carries various means for hanging clothes therefrom, including eyes 21 for supporting conventional wire clothes hangers and a pair of tubular aluminium rods 19 over which washing may be hung to dry. Clearly, other means such as pegs or a circular carousel might be also provided on assembly 6 according to particular needs. The hanger assembly 6 is moveable along channel member 4 so as to allow the assembly to project through the window aperture 3 and allow the washing to dry outside the room. The hanger assembly 6 comprises a square section hollow central member 17. The two aluminium rods 19 are carried on either side of the central member 17 by transverse angle-section support members 18 and 22 bolted to the central member. The eyes 21 are mounted on the central member 17, and may be for example 30 in number. It will be noted that support member 18 is located part-way along the central member 17, so that when the hanger assembly is slid as far out of the window as possible i.e. fully extended, all the washing is outside the room. At this stage it may be possible to close part of the window again, particularly if the window consists of a lower sliding pane and an upper flap, as will be described hereafter. At a backward end of the central member 17 is provided a rubber block 23 to prevent injury to anyone accidently bumping into the device. The runner assembly 8 comprises two pylons 7 welded on either side to plates 24. At an upper end, each pylon 7 carries a pair of ball-races (not shown) which run within the C-channel member 4. Bolt 26 which passes through the backward end of the channel member retains the runner assembly. At a forward end the channel member 4 carries a stop 10 in the form of a strip-metal loop (Figure 3) through which the tongue of a stopper 9 mounted on the foremost pylon 7 projects when the hanger assembly is fully extended. A retaining lug 25 is provided on stopper 9 which acts as a catch to retain the hanger assembly in the fully extended position. The hanger assembly 6 is bolted to the runner assembly 8 by bolts 20 passing through the central member 17. Operation of the device is as follows. In the retracted position shown in Figure 1, washing is hung from the rods 19 and on the eyes 21 by means of clothes hangers. Many high-rise flats have sliding grills which enable the glass windows to be opened whilst preventing people, particularly children, from falling out. When modified by removal of an upper portion, the grill may be slid back into place after the washing has been put-out and so prevent accidents. Thus, the glass window, which may be a casement or a sliding window, and the grill are then opened and the hanger assembly 6 slid out of the window along the channel member 4 until locked in position by retaining lug 25 and stop 10. The modified grill is then slid back into place and the washing allowed to dry. Clearly a similar procedure may be followed if the window has an upper flap and a lower opening pane provided that the intervening frame member is adapted so as to be removable. The dry washing may be retrieved by a reversal of the above procedure. A chain may be attached to the backward end of the central member 17 to facilitate retraction of the hanger assembly. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A device for hanging washing to dry, which comprises a frame adapted to be secured in a position adjacent an aperture in a room wall, a hanger assembly for hanging washing thereon and including a central longitudinal member hung below the frame, and a runner assembly mounted on the hanger assembly for running along a longitudinal member of the frame so as to allow movement of the hanger assembly from a retracted position within the room to an extended position wherein at least a part of the hanger assembly is disposed outside the room.

comprising the said longitudinal member of the frame.

3. A device according to Claim 2, wherein the runner assembly further comprises two pylons spaced apart and mounted at respective lower ends on the hanger assembly, an upper end of each pylon carrying a pair of ball-races running inside the C-section channel member.

4. A device according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein a stop is provided at a forward end of the channel member, the stop co-operating with a catch provided at a forward end of the runner assembly for retaining the hanger assembly in the extended position.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the central longitudinal member of the hanger assembly is provided with a plurality of eyes, and wherein the hanger assemby further comprises a pair of aluminium rods attached on either side of and parallel to the central member and spaced therefrom.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises brackets for securing the frame to the ceiling of a room and to a wall of the room above a window thereof.

7. A device for hanging washing to dry, substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawngs.