GB2064641A

GB2064641A - A Folding Frame for Use as a Trestle or Clothes Horse, for Example

Info

Publication number: GB2064641A
Application number: GB8035887A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ateliers Reunis SA
Current assignee: Ateliers Reunis SA
Priority date: 1979-11-28
Filing date: 1980-11-07
Publication date: 1981-06-17
Also published as: FR2470916B1; FR2470916A1; GB2064641B; DE3039414A1

Abstract

A folding frame designed for use as a trestle or clothes horse, for example, consists of two panels 1 pivotally coupled together near one of their edges by means of two articulation blocks 2 provided with recesses 10 which are intended to serve as bearings for the pivoting end members of the two panels. Each articulation block is provided in addition with a lateral projection 6 having the shape of a triangle or of a trapezium whose sides serve as stops for extensions of the corresponding side members of the two panels in the opened-out position of these latter. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A Folding Frame for Use as a Trestle or Clothes Horse, for Example This invention relates to a folding frame in the form of a trestle which can serve as a supporting stand or as a clothes horse, for example.

Frames of this type are constituted by two panels which are articulated near one of their edges in order to be folded-back one against the other in the rest position. However, the articulation components provided in devices of this type which are in current use are not very practical. Moreover, the two articulated panels are usually maintained in their opened-out position of use by means of a detachable crossstay or any other equivalent system. In consequence, opening-out of a frame of this type entails the need to handle the said cross-stay or the like and the same applies at the time of folding-back of the complete assembly.

For the reason just given, the aim of the present invention is to provide a folding frame of the type recalled above in which the two articulated panels forming a trestle-type stand are assembled together by means of components or so-called blocks which permit the articulation of the said panels, the said blocks being also designed to avoid any need for an additional cross-stay or like retaining element at the time of opening-out of the complete assembly.

To this end, the folding frame in accordance with the invention is distinguished by the fact that the two panels forming a trestle are assembled together by means of articulation blocks provided on the one hand with recesses having the design function of bearings for the pivoting end members of th two panels aforesaid and on the other hand with a lateral projecting portion having the shape of a triangle or of a trapezium whose sides are capable of serving as stops for extensions of the corresponding side members of the two panels in the opened-oui position of these latter.

Under these coi7di#ions, the articulation blocks thus provided have the advantage of simplifying the production of a' frame of this type, Furthermore, as has already been mentioned, the said blocks dispense with any need for a crossstay or like junction element for maintaining the two articulated panels in their opened-out position.

Further distinctive features and advantages of the folding frame in accordance with the invention will become apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings which are given solely by way of indication, and in which: ~Fig. 1 is a view in perspective showing a folding frame in accordance with the invention; ~Figs. 2 and 3 are side views in elevation showing one of the articulation blocks provided in the said frame, the two corresponding articulated panels being shown respectively in the openedout position and in the folded-back position; ~Fig. 4 is a view in perspective showing one of the articulation blocks.

The frame illustrated in Fig. 1 is intended to serve as a clothes drier, or so-called clothes horse.

The said frame is made up of two panels 1 which are articulated near one edge and can thus be opened-out in the form of a trestle.

The panels aforesaid each consist of a frame of metallic tubing, provision being made for a series of crossbars which extend between the side members of the said frame and form a corresponding number of supports for articles of linen to be dried. However, the said cross-bars have not been illustrated in Fig. 1 for the sake of enhanced clarity of the drawings.

The two panels 1 are assembled together by means of two articulation blocks 2. Each block has the general shape of a prism of trapezoidal cross-section and is provided at its base with two hooks 3, the open sides of said hooks being directed towards each other. The bottom portion of each hook constitutes a cylindrical hingebearing 4 for the top end member 5 of the corresponding panel 1 and the entrance of each hook has a slight constriction or throat. However, the top end member 5 of the corresponding panel can be forcibly engaged within a hook of this type, whereupon the said end member remains imprisoned within the bearing formed by the said hook.

One end of each articulation block 2 is adapted to carry a projecting portion 6 having a triangular or trapezoidal cross-section. The sloping sides 7 of the said projecting portion are capable of constituting stops for extensions 8 of the corresponding side members of the two frames 1 when these latter are moved to their opened-out position.

Under these conditions, the articulation blocks 2 perform three distinct functions, namely: assembly of the two panels 2, the possibility of articulation of the said panels with respect to each other and provision of stops for maintaining the said panels in their opened-out position without entailing any need to add a cross-stay or like connected element. The use of articulation blocks of this type therefore introduces a considerable simplification in the structure of the frame under consideration as well as in the fabrication of the frame. The result thereby achieved is a substantial reduction in capital cost.

Furthermore, the subsequent use of the frame of this type is in turn facilitated by the fact that it no longer proves necessary to position a crossstay or like connecting element at the time of opening-out of the two trestle panels.

However, it should also be observed that, in the case of the example illustrated in Fig. 1, namely in the case of the clothes horse, the two articulation blocks 2 also serve to assemble the two aforesaid flaps 9 which are intended to be opened-out on each side of the trestle and are in turn provided with a series of cross-bars (not shown) forming a corresponding number of supports for linen articles. To this end, the two articulation blocks 2 are provided at the upper ends with two bores 10 which are capable of serving as articulation bearings for the corresponding end members 1 1 of the two flaps aforesaid. At the opposite ends, the said flaps are joined by means of shackles 12 or the like to two similar flaps 13 which are intended to serve as supporting elements for these latter in the position of use. The two lastmentioned flaps can in fact be attached to a cross-bar 14 of the two trestle panels 1 as shown in Fig. 1.

In this partiuclar embodiment, the articulation blocks 2 also have the function of joining additional flaps 9 to the two panels 1 of the trestle.

The folding frame in accordance with the invention is not limited, however, to the example of construction described in the foregoing and also has potential uses other than that of linen drier. Thus, should the frame consist of only the two panels 1, the said frame can be employed as a trestle or as a supporting stand.

Claims

1. A folding frame for use as a trestle or clothes horse for example and comprising two panels articulated near one of their edges, characterized in that the two panels aforesaid are assembled together by means of two articulation blocks provided on the one hand with recesses having the design function of bearings for the pivoting end members of the two panels aforesaid and on the other hand with a lateral projecting portion having the shape of a triangle or of a trapezium whose sides are capable of serving as stops for extensions of the corresponding side members of the two panels in the opened-out position of the said panels.

2. A folding frame in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the recesses having the design function of bearings for the pivoting end members of the two panels are formed in the bottom portion of two hooks provided at the lower end of the two articulation blocks and having a slight constriction at the entrance thereof so that the pivoting end members of the panels can be forcibly engaged within the said hooks but subsequently remain imprisoned therein.

3. A folding frame in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that bores formed in the top portion of the articulation blocks are intended to serve as articulation bearings for folding flaps or like additional elements of the assembly.

4. A folding frame for use as a trestle or clothes horse for example, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.