GB2220561A

GB2220561A - Covers for rotary washing lines

Info

Publication number: GB2220561A
Application number: GB8816642A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodney Thomas Rogers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-07-13
Filing date: 1988-07-13
Publication date: 1990-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2008-07-13
Also published as: GB2220561B; GB8816642D0

Abstract

A cover to fit over the frame of a rotary washing line comprises a top sheet to overlay the frame and a skirt to surround any clothes hanging on the line, so as to shield the clothes from rain. The top sheet is preferably supported during use such that its centre is elevated above its edges.

Description

INPROVEXENTS IN ROTARY WASHING LINES The present invention relates to rotary washing lines and is applicable to lines having three or four arms.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cover to fit over the frame of a rotary washing line which comprises a top sheet to overly the frame and a skirt to surround any clothes hanging on the line, so as to shield the clothes from rain.

Preferably, the top sheet is supported during use such that its centre is elevated above its edges. This permits rain to slide off the cover and prevents the formation of a pool of water in the top sheet.

The top sheet is conveniently formed with pockets in which poles are received to maintain the sheet in shape and in tension. Such pockets may be formed at the corner of the top sheet and at its centre. In addition to tensioning poles radiating from the centre of the top sheet, poles may be provided running parallel to the edges of the top sheet to keep the sides of the sheet and the top edges of the skirt in tension.

The centre of the top sheet may further be supported on an extension of the centre pole of the frame of the washing line. The extension piece may comprise an inverted cup to fit over the top of the centre pole of the frame connected to a telescopically collapsible tube on which the top sheet rests. The top of the latter tube may have arms with holes though which the tensioning poles of the top sheet are passed.

The skirt need not extend all the way to the ground and it is preferable to leave a gap at the hem of the skirt to enhance air circulation. With the same aim in mind, the skirt may be formed of a porous material which will promote circulation while preventing rain water from reaching clothes hanging on the washing line.

The top sheet may be secured to the arms of the rotary frame by means of straps passing around the arms.

Further straps may be provided near the centres of the sides of the top sheet to permit the sides of the skirt to be raised up and fastened in a raised position. In this way, the cover need not be removed from the frame to permit access to the washing line.

The edges of the skirt at the corner of the frame may be permanently secured to one another to permit ingress of water, but alternatively releasable fastenings may be provided so that the individual sides may be rolled up without disturbance to the other sides. The releasable fastenings may take the form of studs, zips, eyelets or strips of VELCRO (Reg. Trade Mark).

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view from below of a cover for use with a four armed washing line, and Figure 2 is a similar view of a cover for a three armed washing line.

The cover 10 in Figure 1 comprises a single sheet of polythene or other suitable plastics material having welded thereon four corner pockets 12 and a cruciform centre pocket 14. The corner pockets define a square which constitutes a top sheet 16 to fit over the top of the frame of the rotary washing line, while the border 18 surrounding the top sheet 16 constitutes a skirt which hangs from the edges of the top sheet 16.

To maintain the top sheet in tension, diagonal poles 20 are located in the pockets 12 and 14. Further poles 22 extend parallel to the sides of the cover. The lateral poles 22 are held in position by being connected to the diagonal poles 20 and stops 24 on the poles 20 prevent the lateral poles 22 from sliding. Both for the diagonal poles 20 and the lateral poles 22, straps along the length of the poles may be welded to the plastics sheet to help retain the pole in position.

To mount the cover on the frame of the rotary washing line, straps 26 are provided which pass around the diagonal poles and the arms of the frame. Straps 28 are also formed on the sheet for holding up the sides of the skirt after they have been rolled up for access to the washing line. The straps 28 are secured to the under side of the sheet and are fastened by means of a buckle, or the like, fitted to the top side of the sheet.

When in position on a frame, it is required that the centre of the sheet should be higher than its edges. To support the sheet in this attitude, a telescopically collapsible extension is fitted over the upper end of the centre pole of the frame of the rotary washing line the tube being mounted on an inverted cup which fits over the end of the centre pole.

The border in Figure 1 is continuous with the result that the sides of the skirt are permanently connected to one another to create a fold at the corner of the cover.

This would interfere with the rolling up of the sides of the skirt and it is preferred that the corners be cut away and secured to one another in use by releasable fasteners.

The embodiment of Figure 2 is generally similar to that of Figure 1 but is intended for a three armed rotary washing line. The same reference numerals have been used for parts serving the same function as previously described and the description need not therefore be repeated. It will be noted in the case of this embodiment that the corners have been cut away to permit the sides of the skirt top be raised individually.

Claims

CLAINS

1. A cover to fit over the frame of a rotary washing line which comprises a top sheet to overly the frame and a skirt to surround any clothes hanging on the line, so as to shield the clothes from rain.

2. A cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top sheet is supported during use such that its centre is elevated above its edges.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the top sheet is formed with pockets in which poles are received to maintain the sheet in shape and in tension.

4. A cover as claimed in claim 3, where pockets are formed at the corner of the top sheet and at its centre.

5. A cover as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein in addition to tensioning poles radiating from the centre of the top sheet, poles are provided extending parallel to the edges of the top sheet to keep the sides of the sheet and the top edges of the skirt in tension.

6. A cover as claimed in claim 2 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the centre of the top sheet is supported in use on an extension of the centre pole of the frame of the washing line, the extension comprising an inverted cup to fit over the top of the centre pole of the frame connected to a telescopically collapsible tube on which the top sheet rests.

7. A cover as claimed in claim 6, wherein the top of the telescopically collapsible tube is formed with arms having holes though which the tensioning poles of the top sheet are passed.

8. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the skirt does not extend to the full height of the frame of the washing line and a gap is left below the hem of the skirt to promote air circulation.

9. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein to secure the top sheet to the arms of the rotary frame straps are provided for passing around the arms.

10. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein straps straps are provided near the centres of the sides of the top sheet to permit the sides of the skirt to be raised up and fastened in a raised position.

11. A cover for a rotary washing line constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

11. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the edges of the skirt at the corner of the frame are not permanently secured to one another so as to permit sides of the skirt to be rolled up individually and wherein releasable fastening means are provided to permit the edges of the sides of the skirt to be secured to one another.

12. A cover for a rotary washing line constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1. A cover to fit over the frame of a rotary washing line which comprises a top sheet to overly the frame and a skirt to surround any clothes hanging on the line, so as to shield the clothes from rain, the top sheet being formed with pockets in which poles are received to maintain the sheet in shape and in tension.

3. A cover as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein pockets are formed at the corner of the top sheet and at its centre.

4. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the top sheet if maintained in tension by poles radiating from the centre of the top sheet and by poles extending parallel to the edges of the top sheet to keep the sides of the sheet and the top edges of the skirt in tension.

5. A cover as claimed in claim 2 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the centre of the top sheet is supported in use on an extension of the centre pole of the frame of the washing line, the extension comprising an inverted cup to fit over the top of the centre pole of the frame connected to a telescopically collapsible tube on which the top sheet rests.

6. A cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the top of the telescopically collapsible tube is formed with arms having holes though which the tensioning poles of the top sheet are passed.

7. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the skirt does not extend to the full height of the frame of the washing line and a gap is left below the hem of the skirt to promote air circulation.

8. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein to secure the top sheet to the arms of the rotary frame straps are provided for passing around the arms.

9. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein straps are provided near the centres of the sides of the top sheet to permit the sides of the skirt to be raised up and fastened in a raised position.

10. A cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the edges of the skirt at the corner of the frame are not permanently secured to one another so as to permit sides of the skirt to be rolled ' up individually and wherein releasable fastening means are provided to permit the edges of the sides of the skirt to be secured to one another.