GB2168889A - Foldable frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A clothes airer frame comprises a support part (11) which in use extends generally upwardly and a wing (25) mounted on the support part (11) for movement between a first, in use, position in which the wing (25) extends in a first direction and a second stowed position in which the wing (25) extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the wing (25) being mounted by means comprising first (30) and second (31) arms, each of the arms (30,31) being pivotally mounted at one of their ends (39,42) to the support part (11) and at the other of their ends (38,47) to the wing (11) so that the wing may be moved between the first and second positions by pivoting the wing (25) relative to the first and second arms (30,31), and pivoting the first and second arms (30,31) relative to the support part (11). The frame may be provided with second and third wings (60,80) the latter (80) having means which guides the wing to a stowed position as a frame part (15) is pivoted relative to the part (11). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Frame This invention relates to a frame and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a frame comprising a clothes airer, the frame comprising, in use, a, usually substantially horizontal, wing on which articles such as clothes may be placed.

According to a first aspect of the invention I provide a frame comprising a support part which in use extends generally upwardly and a wing mounted on the support part for movement between a first, in use, position in which the wing extends in a first direction and a second stowed position in which the wing extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the wing being mounted by means comprising first and second arms, each of the arms being pivotally mounted at one of their ends to the support, and at the other of their ends to the wing.

Thus the wing may be moved between said first and second positions by pivoting the wing relative to the first and second arms, and pivoting the first and second arms relative to the support part.

Preferably, the first arm is longer than the second arm.

The support part may comprise part of a sub frame, the sub frame including a member of inverted U configuration, the free ends of the depending limbs being supported on a floor or a base (hereinafter called "the ground"), and the wing being received between the depending limbs.

The support part may comprise part of one of the depending limbs and further first and second arms may be provided at the opposite side of the wing to said first mentioned first and second arms to mount said opposite side of the wing on a further support part provided on the other depending limb.

When the wing is in said first position, which is preferably a generally horizontal position, the first longer arm or arms may extend downwardly from the wing to the support part, and the shorter second arm may extend upwardly from the wing to the support part. Thus the wing will extend, in said first direction, between the pivotal connections of the first and second arms on the support part. The first and second arms preferably extend in opposite directions from the support part so as to be pivotally engaged with the wing at spaced positions.

Where first and second arms are provided on opposite sides of the wing, the first longer arms may be provided by limbs of a further U-shaped element which may be engaged with the wing to permit of relative pivotal movement between the wing and the first arms.

Alternatively, the or each of the first arms may be secured to the wing by rivets, bolts, or any other fasteners which permit of relative pivotal movement between the arms and the wing. The or both of the second arms may be pivoted on the wing by suitable fasteners.

The sub frame may comprise one or more support elements secured to the inverted U-shaped member, preferably in pivotal manner, to permit the support elements and inverted U-shaped member to be relatively folded.

The or each support element is preferably pivotally mounted on a depending limb of the inverted U-shaped member so that the or each support element and depending limb of the inverted U-shaped member, can be pivoted from an in use inverted V configuration, to a folded condition in which the support element is alongside the respective depending limb.

The first and second arms which support the wing, because the wing is mounted between the depending limbs of the inverted U-shaped member, can both be pivotally secured to the same side of the support part, preferably the inwardly facing part. Preferably a stop means is provided to support the wing when in its first position, such as a framework element which extends between the depending limbs of the inverted U-shaped member, or shorter stops secured to the depending limbs, in suitable positions.

The support elements may comprise the limbs of a U-shaped support member the base of the 'U' being supported on or adjacent the ground, for example on wheels which permit of easy movement of the frame.

The frame preferably has a second wing mounted above or below the first described wing, which second wing may be mounted on the support part by first and second arms in a similar manner to the first wing.

Where the second wing is mounted above the first wing, adjacent the cross member of the inverted U-shaped member, the second wing need not lie entirely between the limbs of the inverted U-shaped member, because during pivoting from the first to the second position, the second wing may be lifted clear of the cross part of the inverted U-shaped member.

The second shorter arms needs not in this event, extend upwardly from the wing to the support part when the second wing is in its first, in use, position, but may as the wing is pivoted to said first position engage stop means or the like which prevent movement of the second wing beyond said first position. The second shorter arms may be mounted on an outwardly facing part of the support part of the inverted U-shaped member, and the stop means may comprise part of the second wing.

The frame may include a third wing mounted beneath the first and second wings for pivotal movement relative to the inverted U-shaped member, which pivotal connection may be provided by rivets, bolts, or other fasteners.

The third wing may include guide means, such as one or more recesses in the wing between which the support elements of the sub frame are received, so as to guide the third wing to a stowed position as the support elements are pivoted relative to the inverted U-shaped member. The third wing may be supported by a stop means in use, such as a frame element which may extend be tween the support elements, when in said first, in use, position. A further wing may be mounted on the third wing for pivotal movement relative thereto.

The further wing may be pivoted about an axis between an, in use, position in which the further wing is generally horizontal and adjacent to the third wing, to a second upper stowed position.

Preferably the pivotal axis of movement of the further wing relative to the third wing is between the depending limbs of the inverted U-shaped member and the support elements when in their in use V configuration.

Thus the further wing can be pivoted clear of a vertical drop from the first and/or second wings to the ground.

The first and second and/or third and/or further wings preferably comprise lattice frameworks, having a periphery, usually rectangular, although one side of the rectangle may be omitted and bars extending between at least two opposite sides of the periphery. In this form the frame has particular application as a clothes airer, as clothes may be hung over the bars which extend between opposite sides of the periphery.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide a frame comprising a sub frame including an inverted U-shaped member comprising depending limbs and a cross part, the free ends of the depending limbs in use, being supported on or adjacent the ground, and a U-shaped support member, comprising upstanding limbs and a cross part which in use, is supported on or adjacent the ground, the free ends of the U-shaped support member being pivotally connected to the depending limbs of the inverted U-shaped member nearer to the cross part of the inverted U-shaped member than the free ends of the depending limbs thereof, and at least one wing mounted on the sub frame.

The frame according to the second aspect of the invention may have any of the features of the frame according to the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame in accordance with the invention.

Figures 2a, 2b, and 2c, are each side views of the frame of Figure 1, but showing various parts of the frame in alternative positions.

Referring first to Figure 1, a frame 10 comprises a sub frame including an inverted U-shaped member 11 which has a pair of depending limbs 12 and 13 and a cross part 14, the free ends of the limbs 12 and 13 in use, being supported on the ground, and a U-shaped support frame 15 also comprising a pair of limbs 16 and 17 and a cross part 18, the cross part 18 in use being supported adjacent the ground on a pair of wheels 19 and 20.

The free ends of the limbs 16 and 17 are pivoted as shown at 22 and 23 respectively to the depending limbs 12 and 13 of the inverted U-shaped member 11, nearer to cross part 14 of the member 11 than the free ends of the limbs.

Thus the limb 12 of member 11, and limb 16 of member 15, and depending limb 13 of member 11 and limb 17 of member 15, each provide, as shown in Figure 1, an inverted V-shaped configuration whereby the frame 10 can be steadily supported on the ground. The members 11 and 15 are however foldable relative to one another by virtue of the pivotal connections 22 and 23 to a stowed position in which limb 16 of member 15 will lie adjacent limb 12 of member 11, and limb 17 of member 15 will lie adjacent limb 13 of member 11.

Mounted on the sub frame, is a first wing 25 which comprises a periphery 26 of generally rectangular configuration, between opposite sides 27 and 28 of which there extend a plurality of bars 29 to provide an open lattice framework.

The wing 25 is mounted on the sub frame by virtue of one pair of arms comprising a first longer arm 30 and a second shorter arm 31, and a second pair of arms also comprising a longer arm 32 and a shorter arm 33.

The first arms 30 and 32 are both limbs of a Ushaped element 35, the cross part 36 of element 35 being received between a first bar 29' of the wing 25 and an adjacent peripheral side 37, and the arms 30, 32, are each cranked as shown at 38, so that cross part 36 lies in substantially the same plane as the upper surfaces of the bars 29.

By virture of this connection of element 35 and wing 25, the first arms 30 and 32 can pivot relative to the wing 25.

At their free ends, the arms 30 and 32 are connected in pivotal manner to the depending limbs 12 and 13 of the inverted U-shaped frame 11, as shown at 39 and 40 to permit of pivotal movement between the arms 30 and 32 and the member 11.

Preferably, the free ends of the arms 30 and 32 are bent outwardly at right angles to the remainder of the arm, and the outwardly extending parts of the arms 30 and 32 are received in openings in the limbs 12 and 13 to provide pivotal connection.

The shorter second, arms 31 and 33 are each connected at one end, as shown at 42 and 43, to the depending limbs 12 and 13 of the inverted Ushaped member 11. Thus the limbs 12 and 13 each provide a support part for the arms 30, 31, and 32 and 33 for mounting of the wing 25.

The other ends of the shorter arms 31 and 33, are connected by conventional fasteners or the like, to the wing 25 as shown at 46 and 47 to allow for pivotal movement.

Referring now to Figure 2a, the wing 25 is shown in its first, in use, position. The wing is supported on a frame element 50 and hence is prevented from pivoting downwardly beyond the first position shown.

It can be seen that the first arm 30 extends downwardly from its pivotal connection 38 to the wing, to the support part of the member 11, and that the shorter arm 31 extends upwardly from the wing 25 to its pivotal connection 42 with the support part.

Further, the longer arm 30 extends from one side of the support part, whilst the shorter arm 31 extends from the other side of the support part.

Hence the wing 25 is supported through the arms 30 and 31 at spaced positions and on frame ele ment 50. By lifting the wing 25 at the side 51 opposite to the side on which the U-shaped element 35 including the arms 30 and 32 is provided, the wing 25 can be pivoted to a second, stowed position, as shown in Figure 2b, in which the wing 25 lies parallel and adjacent to the depending limbs of the member 11. Again, the frame element 50 which extends between the limbs 12 and 13 of member 11 prevents movement of the wing 25 beyond the position shown, as the element 50 is engaged by the shorter arms 31.

It can be seen from Figure 1, that the wing 25 is mounted entirely between the limbs 12 and 13, and 16 and 17, and that the arms 30, 31, and 32 and 33 are each pivotally secured to their respective limbs, on inside parts of the limbs. Pivoting of the wing 25 between the first position shown in Figure 2a, and the second position shown in Figure 2b, is therefore a lifting and pivoting movement.

Referring again to Figure 1, the frame includes a second wing 60 which like wing 25, comprises a periphery 61 of generally rectangular shape, and a plurality of cross bars 62 to provide an open lattice framework. However, in a central region 63 thereof, there are no bars 62 extending between opposite sides of the periphery 61, but cross part 14 of inverted U-shaped member 11, is received between opposite sides of the periphery.

Like wing 25, the wing 60 is mounted at either side on the sub frame by arms comprising a first pair of arms including a longer arm 64 and a shorter arm 65, and a second pair of arms comprising a longer arm 66 and a shorter arm 67 which is only just visible in Figure 1.

The longer arms 64 and 66, like arms 30 and 32 which support wing 25, are part of a U-shaped element 67, a cross part 68 of which is received between an end bar 62' of wing 60 and the adjacent side of the periphery.

Thus the arms 64, 66 can pivot relative to the wing 60. At the free ends of the arms 64 and 66, outwardly extending parts are provided which are received in openings in the depending limbs 12 and 13 of member 11, as shown at 69 in Figure 1 so that the arms 64 and 66 can pivot relative to the sub frame.

The arms 64 and 66 like arms 30 and 32 which support wing 25, are pivotally secured on an inside part of the sub frame.

The second shorter arms 65 and 67 are pivotally connected at one of their ends, at shown at 70 and 71, to the outer periphery 61 of the wing 60, and at their other ends 73 to the limbs 12 and 13 of the inverted U-shaped member 11. However, it will be seen from Figure 1 that the connection 73 is on an outside part of the limbs 12 and 13 of the inverted U-shaped member 11 and rather than extending downwardly to the wing 60 as do the arms 31 and 33 which support wing 25, the arms 65 and 67 extend generally parallel thereto when the wing 60 is in its first in use position.

Referring again to Figure 2a, the wing 60 is shown in its first in use position; in Figure 2c, the wing 60 has been pivoted to a second stowed position.

When the wing 60 is in its first position, it can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 2a, that parts 74 of the periphery 61 of wing 60 engages the fastener which provides the pivotal connection, at 73, between the shorter arms 65, 67, and the limbs 12 and 13 so as to provide an effective stop to prevent pivotal movement of the wing 60 downwardly beyond this first position.

When the wing 60 is pivoted to its second position, the wing 60 engages wing 25 which may be either in its first in use position, as shown in Figure 2a, or in its stowed position as shown in Figure 2b, so that further movement of wing 60 beyond the second position is not permitted.

It will be appreciated that wing 60 is pivoted to the second position by a lifting and pivoting movement similar to wing 25, and that as the wing 60 is lifted, the wing 60 will be lifted clear of the cross part 14 of the inverted U-shaped member 11.

Referring again to Figure 1, the frame comprises a third wing 80 comprising a periphery having three sides only 81a, 81b, and 82, and cross bars 83, which extend between sides 81a and 81b.

At their free ends, sides 81a and 81b provide guide means 84, 85, comprising recesses in loops 86 and 87. The limbs 16 and 17 of the U-shaped member 15 are received by the guide means in the loops 86, 87. The third wing 80 is pivotally connected at either side by fasteners or the like as shown at 88 to the inverted U-shaped member 11.

The third wing is also mounted by a pair of arms 90 only of which can be seen, one end of each of which is pivotally connected, at 91, to the wing 80, and the other end of which is pivotally connected to an outside part of limbs 16 and 17 of the Ushaped member 15, as shown at 92.

By virtue of the limbs 16 and 17 of the U-shaped member 15 being received by the guide means 84 and 85, and the pivotal connection 88 between the third wing 80 and the depending limbs 12 and 13 of the inverted U-shaped member 11 and the arms 90, as the member 15 is pivoted relatively towards member 11 to stow the frame, the third wing 80 will be caused to pivot about pivotal connection 88 to bring the third wing 80 to a stowed position adjacent the limbs 12 and 13 of inverted U-shaped member 11.

A pair of stops 93 and 94 which extend inwardly of the U-shaped member 15 are provided at the position of the pivotal connection 92 and are arranged to limit movement of the loops 86, 87, of the guide means 84 and 85 downwardly beyond the position shown in Figure 1.

Mounted on the third wing 80, is a still further wing 100 comprising a three-sided peripheral frame 101 between opposite sides 102 and 103 of which extend cross bars 104. The free ends of the sides 102 and 103 are pivotally connected as shown at 104 and 105 to the third wing 80 and when in an in use position, as shown in Figure 1, also engages stops 93 and 94. Thus the further wing 100 can be pivoted as shown in Figure 2c, upwardly to a stowed position in which side 101 of the wing 100 engages stop means provided at the position of the pivotal connection 39, 40, of the longer arms 30 and 32 of wing 25, with the limbs 12 and 13 of the inverted U-shaped frame 11.

When the further wing 100 is pivoted upwardly as shown in Figure 2c there is a clear drop from wing 25 between the limbs 16, 17, to the ground.

Of course if wing 25 is in its second, stowed, position, and wing 60 in its first, in use position, there would be a free vertical drop between limbs 16, 17, from wing 60 to the ground.

Although as described, the wings 25, 60, 80, and 100, have comprised open lattice frameworks, which arrangement is particularly suitable where the frame 10 is to be used as a clothes airer, of course the wings 25, 60, 80, and 100, could be solid or apertured panels, or of an other configuration as required to provide shelves or other supports for articles placed thereon.

Various modifications may be made to the clothes airer described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the sub frame need not comprise an inverted U-shaped member 11 and a U-shaped support member 15 connected as described, but could be of other configuration if required. Furthermore, ech of the three wings, 25, 60 and 80 need not be mounted on the sub frame as described, but at least wings 60 and 80 could be alternatively mounted if required.

Although a frame having first, second and third wings, and a further wing, has been described, of course more or less wings than these may be provided if required.

The sub frame need not be provided with wheels 19, 20, as described, and where a frame is required where only the wings are pivotable relative to the sub frame, the members 11 and 15 need not be pivotally connected as described.

Claims (30)

1. A frame comprising a support part which in use extends generally upwardly and a wing mounted on the support part for movement between a first, in use, position in which the wing extends in a first direction and a second stowed position in which the wing extends in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the wing being mounted by means comprising first and second arms, each of the arms being pivotally mounted at one of their ends to the support part, and at the other of their ends to the wing.

2. A frame according to claim 1 wherein the first arm is longer than the second arm.

3. A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the support part comprises part of a sub frame, the sub frame including a member of inverted U configuration, the free ends of the depending limbs being supported on the ground, and the wing being received between the depending limbs.

4. A frame according to claim 3 wherein the support part comprises part of one of the depending limbs.

5. A frame according to claim 4 wherein further first and second arms are provided at the opposite side of the wing to said first mentioned first and second arms to mount the opposite side of the wing on a further support part provided on the other depending limb.

6. A frame according to any of claims 2 to 5 where appendent to claim 2 wherein when the wing is in the first position, the first longer arm or arms extend downwardly from the wing to the support part, and the shorter second arm or arms extend upwardly from the wing to the support part.

7. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second arms extend in opposite directions from the support part so as to be pivotally engaged with the wing at spaced positions.

8. A frame according to any one of claims 5 to 7 where appendent to claims 2 and 5 wherein the first longer arms are provided by limbs of a further U-shaped element which is engaged with the wing to permit of relative pivotal movement between the wing and the first arms.

9. A frame according to any one of claims 3 to 8 where appendent to claim 3 wherein the sub frame comprises one or more support elements secured to the inverted U-shaped member.

10. A frame according to claim 9 wherein the or each support element is secured to the U-shaped member in pivotal manner, to permit the support elements and inverted U-shaped member to be relatively folded.

11. A frame according to claim 10 wherein the or each support element is pivotally mounted on a depending limb of the inverted U-shaped member so that the or each support element and depending limb of the inverted U-shaped member, can be pivoted from an in use inverted V configuration, to a folded condition in which the support element is alongside the respective depending limb.

12. A frame according to claim 11 wherein the first and second arms which support the wing, are both pivotally secured to an inwardly facing part of the support part.

13. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a stop means is provided to support the wing when in its first position.

14. A frame according to claim 13 where appendent to claim 12 wherein the stop means comprises one or more short stops secured to the depending limbs.

15. A frame according to any one of claims 9 to 14 where appendent to claim 9 wherein the support elements comprise the limbs of a U-shaped support member, the base of the 'U' being supported on or adjacent the ground.

16. A frame according to claim 15 wherein the base of the 'U' is mounted on wheels which permit of easy movement of the frame.

17. A frame according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the frame has a second wing mounted above or below the first described wing, which second wing may be mounted on the support part by first and second arms in a similar manner to the first wing.

18. A frame according to claim 17 where appendent to claim 3 wherein the frame includes a third wing mounted beneath the first and second wings for pivotal movement relative to the inverted U-shaped member.

19. A frame according to claim 18 where appendent to claim 9 wherein the third wing includes guide means, so as to guide the third wing to a stowed position as the support elements are pivoted relative to the inverted U-shaped member.

20. A frame according to claim 19 wherein the guide means comprises one or more recesses in the wing between which the support elements of the sub frame are received.

21. A frame according to claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the third wing is supported by a stop means in use, which extends between the support elements, when in the first, in use, position.

22. A frame according to any one of claims 19 to 21 wherein a further wing is mounted on the third wing for pivotal movement relative thereto.

23. A frame according to claim 22 wherein the further wing is pivotal about an axis between an, in use, position in which the further wing is generally horizontal and adjacent to the third wing, to a second upper stowed position.

24. A frame according to claim 23 wherein the pivotal axis of movement of the further wing relative to the third wing is between the depending limbs of the inverted U-shaped member and the support elements when in their in use V configuration.

25. A frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and/or second and/ or third and/or further wings preferably comprise lattice frameworks having a periphery, and bars extending between at least two opposite sides of the periphery.

26. A frame according to claim 25 wherein the periphery is generally rectangular.

27. A frame comprising a sub frame including an inverted U-shaped member comprising depending limbs and a cross part, the free ends of the depending limbs in use, being supported on or adjacent the ground, and a U-shaped support member, comprising upstanding limbs and a cross part which in use, is supported on or adjacent the ground, the free ends of the U-shaped support member being pivotally connected to the depending limbs of the inverted U-shaped member nearer to the cross part of the inverted U-shaped member than the free ends of the depending limbs thereof, and at least one wing mounted on the sub frame.

28. A frame according to claim 27 which has any of the features of the frame according to any one of the claims 1 to 26.

29. A frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

30. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.