GB2232350A

GB2232350A - Support for washing line

Info

Publication number: GB2232350A
Application number: GB9012774A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Francis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-08
Filing date: 1990-06-08
Publication date: 1990-12-12
Anticipated expiration: 2010-06-08
Also published as: GB9012774D0; GB8913241D0; GB2232350B

Abstract

A support (1) for supporting a plurality of washing lines includes arms (4) which, in use, extend transversely of an upright post to which the support may be attached, the arms (4) may also provide a means for storage of the washing lines when not in use. The arms (4) can pivot between their horizontal 'in use' position and a vertical storage position. Other forms of supporting arms and different ways of securing them to the supporting post are disclosed. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Support for Washing Line Description of Invention This invention relates to a support for a washing line.

Conventionally a washing line is suspended between two upright posts which extend from the ground. Such supports are limited in use because only one washing line may be suspended between the two posts at or adjacent the top of each post. Consequently there is limit to the amount of washing which can be accommodated between the posts.

Moreover the washing line is usually stored separate from the post or else wrapped around it, and is easily knotted or entangled in itself during periods of storage or when it is desired to unwind the line for use after a period of storage.

It is known to provide a clothes airer comprising a post which includes arms in attachment thereto which arms are capable of extending upwardly and outwardly from the post and which have one or more washing lines extending between them. Commonly there are four such arms and the washing line or lines are permanently attached to them. The disadvantage of this kind of washing support is that all of the washing supported on the lines is crowded into a relatively small space in the vicinity of the post such that flow of air over the washing is somewhat impaired.

Furthermore, in such clothes airers as these the arms are permanently secured to the post, the post being supported in a support in the ground during use and being removed from the support in the ground during periods of nonuse. Storage of such large articles, whilst necessary to prevent their theft, is inconvenient.

It is also known to provide a clothes airer comprising a beam to which is attached a number of lines which beam is moveable away from a line storage and tensioning device so that between the beam which is attachable to a first upright surface and the storage and tensioning device which is permanently fixed to a second upright surface such as a wall a plurality of lines is held in tension. This system however suffers from a number of disadvantages such as the expense of a complex tensioning system, difficulty of repair if any part of the device breaks, for example the need to replace a broken line with a line of material which is the same as the material of the other lines, and the limitation on the weight of washing which can be supported which is imposed by the strength of the tensioning device.For example if the tension of the wires is insufficiently adequate to support the weight of washing which is hung upon them it is not possible to provide support for the lines by means of a conventional line prop because there are a plurality of lines.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and improved washing support on a post, or, to improve existing posts so as to permit of accommodating more washing between the posts, to permit of more convenient storage of washing lines and overcome or reduce some of the disadvantages mentioned above with known arrangements.

According to the present invention I provide a support for supporting a washing line which support is capable of being secured to an upright post and comprises an arm which is adapted to extend transversely to the post.

Preferably the support is adapted releasably to be secured to the post but, alternatively, it may be formed in permanent securement thereto.

The support may further comprise a support member which provides engagement means by which to engage the post and be secured thereto, and retaining means by which the support member retains the arm in securement thereto.

The engagement means may be adjustable between a first condition in which a part thereof engages a surface of the post and resists movement of the support member relative to the post, and a second condition in which said part thereof does not engage a surface of the post.

The support member may comprise a cylindrical collar adapted to be fitted around a part of the post and preferably the collar is closed at one longitudinal end thereof to form a cap.

The collar may have apertures cut into a wall thereof, which apertures extend from a longitudinal end of the collar and are of generally "L" shape so as to be engageable over lugs which may be provided by the post, by separate movements of the collar in two directions relative to the post, namely a first direction longitudinally of the post and a second direction about a longitudinal axis of the post.

A resilient means may be provided by the support member so as to resist movement of the collar in the first direction such that the collar may be fitted on a top of the post by a bayonet type fitting.

The retaining means releasably may retain the arm.

The arm may be movable relative to the support member between an "in use" condition in which it extends transversely to the post and a "stored" condition in which it extends substantially parallel to the post.

The arm, when in the "in use" condition may extend beyond an outer longitudinally extending surface of the post and, when in the "stored" condition the arm may not extend substantially beyond the longitudinally extending surface of the post.

Locking means may be provided releasably to lock the arm in the "in use" condition and securing means may be provided releasably to secure the arm in the "stored" condition.

The locking means and the securing means preferably are one and the same but, alternatively, they may be distinct integers.

Preferably the arm is pivotable between the "in use" and "stored" conditions about an axis which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the arm and to the longitudinal axis of the post.

The post may be a hollow post and the arm, when in the "stored" condition, may extend within the hollow interior of the post.

The arm may comprise nested rods and/or tubes which permit of telescoping such that the arm is adjustable for length.

The arm may provide, adjacent a longitudinal end thereof, a transversely extending pin and the support member may provide, on an inner surface thereof, a bracket which extends longitudinally of the support member and provides therein an elongate aperture, the pin being engageable in the elongate aperture so that the arm is movable relative to the bracket.

The support member may comprise a U bolt and nuts, the engagement means comprising the bolt and the retaining means comprising the nuts, the retaining means preferably releasably retaining the arm.

The support may comprise a first portion adapted partly to encircle the post and engage therewith in a first condition in which movement thereof relative to the post is resisted, a second portion which comprises the arm and a releasable fixing means by release of which the first portion is adjustable between the first condition and the second condition in which the first portion does not engage with the post in a manner which resists movement of the first portion relative to the post.

Preferably the first portion is resilient and is urged, when the support is adjusted from the second condition to the first condition, against its resilient bias.

Preferably the second portion is also resilient.

The support may comprise a single convoluted rod.

The post may be secured relative to a surface from which it stands upright substantially so as not to move relative thereto. Alternatively, the post may comprise a prop which is movable relative to the surface from which it stands upright.

The support may be adapted to suspend a further washing line in addition to the washing line above a surface from which the post stands upright, the support comprising an arm adapted to maintain the washing lines in mutually spaced apart relationship, the arm being supported above the surface by one of the washing lines.

Said one of the washing lines may itself be suspended above the surface by the upright post or by a further upright post and at least one of the upright post or the further upright post may be a washing line prop.

The arm may provide attachment means for attaching a washing line thereto.

The attachment means may comprise a bracket about which a washing line can be wound or, alternatively, the attachment means may comprise a transverse hole extending through the arm.

The arm may provide guide means to support the washing lines and to maintain them in mutually spaced apart relationship.

The washing lines may be bent upon passing through the guide means.

The support may comprise a further arm or arms also provided with attachment means for attaching a washing line thereto.

Each of the arms may be moved between the "in use" and "stored" conditions independently of the or each other arm.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide in combination, a post and support for supporting a washing line, which support is capable of being secured to the post and comprises an arm which is adapted to extend transversely to the post.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE I is a perspective view of supports for washing according to the invention, in use with upright posts.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing some of the internal details of one embodiment of a support according to the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of part of an alternative embodiment of a support according to the invention.

FIGURES 4, 5 and ó are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the support according to the invention.

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a modified washing line prop for use with a support according to the invention; FIGURE 8 is an elevation of a support according to the invention as applied to a conventional line prop which helps to maintain in tension and support above the ground a line extending between two permanent upright posts; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention for use in relation to a conventional line prop; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the support; FIGURE II is a plan view of a further embodiment of the support according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings a support I for a washing line 2 comprises a support member 3 which comprises a cylindrical collar and arms 4 which are adapted to extend in a direction transverse to a post 5 which extends upright from a base or from the ground. In each of the supports shown in the drawings two arms 4 are provided on the support 1.

The upright post 5 is a conventional washing support post and may be provided with one or more lugs 6 extending transversely to its longitudinal axis.

In the drawings the post 5 is shown as a cylindrical post of circular transverse cross section but it will be realised that posts of other cross sectional shapes are commonly provided instead. The support member 3 may also be provided in various shapes so as to accommodate the shape of the post 5. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the support member 3 is of circular shape in transverse section and it is of greater diameter than the diameter of the post 5 and thus may be slid over the top of the post 5. The post 5 may be closed at an upper end thereof, or alternatively, it may be hollow.

In the embodiments of the support shown in Figures 2 and 3 the support member 3 provides engagement means 7 in the form of bolts which extend through a wall of the support member 3 and may be adjusted by a user of the support. In use, the support is slidably engaged over a top of a post 5 and the bolts 7 are tightened so as to securely engage their ends with the surface of the post 5. In this way the support I is secured to the post 5 and can be released from the post by loosening the bolts 7 when the support I is no longer required for use.

It will be appreciated that other kinds of engagement means may be utilised in addition to or instead of the bolts 7, for example, in a further embodiment of the support (not shown) the support member 3 has apertures comprising cutaways which extend from the longitudinal end of the support member 3 which, in use, is lowermost, the apertures being generally "L" shaped. It will be appreciated that by lowering the support I on to the top of a post 5 which provides lugs 6 and then twisting the support I about the longitudinal axis of the post 5 the lugs 6 could be engaged in the apertures and thus secure the support I on top of the post 5.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of the support member 3 and of the apertures could be set during manufacture to be appropriate for such a purpose and that support members of various sizes providing apertures of various dimensions could be provided. Moreover the longitudinal end of the support member 3 which is uppermost in use could be closed such as is shown in Figure 3 and could be provided with resilient means to resiliently oppose moving the support I over the end of the post 5. Such an arrangement, in combination with the "L" shaped apertures described above would constitute a bayonet type fitting.

In a still further embodiment of the invention an inwardly facing wall of the support member 3 could be provided with resilient means which extend away from the wall and which are resiliently displaced when the support member 3 is slidably engaged over a top of the post 5.

In a still further embodiment of the support an support may be permanently secured to the post 5 by suitable means such as adhesive or nails.

In embodiments of the support which have no integers extending inward of an inner wall of the support member 3, such as the embodiments of Figures 4, 5 and 6, the support member 3, if desired, could be attached to the post 5 at a position other than at or adjacent the top of the post 5, for example, half way down. In order for this to be possible however the post 5 would have to be of a kind which does not provide lugs 6 or, alternatively or additionally the support member 3 could comprise a collar which may be opened along the longitudinally extending wall thereof so that it could be fitted around the post 5 at a desired position above the ground. In such an embodiment of the support I, the support member 3 may comprise two parts which are hinged together so that the support member can be opened out or closed to form a collar.Some suitable connecting means could be provided at or near the edges of the collar so that the support member 3 can be closed in the form of a collar.

In Figures 4, 5 and 6 the means of engagement of the support member 3 to the post 5 is not shown but may comprise any one of the aforementioned means or any other suitable means.

Referring to Figure 3, the longitudinal end of the support member 3 which is, in use, uppermost, is closed and includes a transversely extending recess 20 across the diameter of the end. The recess provides pins 21 which extend from side walls of the recess and locate in respective apertures 22 provided adjacent the ends of the arms 4. In this manner the arms are pivotable between the "in use" and "stored" conditions.

Referring to Figure 2 the support member 3 is open ended and provides diametrically opposed apertures 8 at a longitudinal end thereof which is uppermost when the support I is in use on a post 5. The apertures 8 have transversely extending tongues 9 which may be formed by pressing out a portion of the wall of the support member 3. The tongues 9 each have a hole 10 provided therein which receives a pin II provided on one of the arms 4 adjacent a longitudinal end of that arm. The pins II provide an axis about which the arms 4 may be pivoted so as to move between an "in use" condition in which the arms 4 extend transversely to a longitudinal axis of the post 5 and a "stored" condition in which the arms 4 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the post 5. When in the "stored" condition the arms 4 do not extend beyond the longitudinally extending surface of the post 5.

If desired means may be provided to couple the arms 4 so that that movement of one of the arms 4 brings about a concomitant movement of the other arm. This is true of the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 5 by virtue of its construction but coupling of the arms of the embodiments of the support shown in the other drawings is possible also. In these other embodiments however each arm is movable separately and this is preferable since it may be desired to use only one of the arms.

In Figure 2 it will be appreciated that, if desired, pins could be provided on the tongues 9 to engage within apertures or an aperture in the arms 4 instead. Moreover it will be understood that the tongues 9 could be provided by some other means than pressing out portions of the wall of the support member 3.

In an alternative embodiment of the support (not shown) the tongues 9 may be extended in the form of elongate brackets which extend longitudinally of the support member 3 along at least a part of its height and may provide therein an elongate aperture in the form of an "L" shape such that the pin 11 provided on an arm 4 could be slid along the aperture such that the arm 4 could be pivoted within the aperture and, additionally, its pivotal axis could be moved longitudinally of the bracket so that, in the "stored" condition, the arm 4 does not extend beyond the longitudinal end of the support member 3 which, in use, is uppermost or, at least, does not extend substantially beyond that end.It will be understood that, in order that such a bracket does not obstruct securement of the support I to the upper end of the post 5 the bracket itself could be "L" shaped with one limb of the "L" being positioned away from a wall of the support member 3 such that this limb of the "L" shaped bracket could slide within the interior of a hollow post 5.

Where the post 5 is hollow and the uppermost longitudinal end of the support member 3 is not closed the arms 4 of the support I may be movable from an extended condition to a stored condition in which they extend into the interior of the post 5.

In a still further embodiment of the support the longitudinal end of the support member 3 which is, in use, uppermost, may be closed and provided with an upstanding bracket to pivotally mount the arms 4.

In the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 4 the support member 3 provides channel shaped parts 25 having aligned holes 26 in parallel walls thereof and the detachable arms 4 provide holes 27 extending therethrough which may be aligned with the holes 26 in the channel shaped part 25 and by insertion of suitable pegs 28 into the holes the arm 4 may be secured in a transversely extending condition relative to the post 5. By removing one of the pegs 28 from the holes 26 and 27 the arm 4 may be pivoted relative to the channel shaped part 25 so as to extend downwardly and substantially parallel to the post 5.

Whilst the channel shaped part 25 is shown as providing an open edge extending downwardly it will be appreciated that the open edge could extend upwardly in which case the arm 4 could pivot upwardly to a position in which it is parallel to the post 5. It may be desirable to permanently secure the pegs 28 to the support member 3 or to some other part of the support so as to offset the risk of them being lost.

In the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 5 the support member 3 provides a boss 30 and pivot 31 about which a hollow square cross section tubular bracket 32 is pivoted relative to the boss 30. The bracket 32 provides aligned holes 33 in opposite walls thereof and the arms 4 provide holes 34 which may be aligned with the holes 33 in the bracket 32 such that the arm may be secured to the bracket 32 by means of suitable pegs or pins.

In this embodiment of the support, when the support is not required for use and it is desired to move the arms to a position in which they do not extend transversely to the post 5 this can be done either by rotating the bracket 32 about the pivot 31 relative to the boss 30 such that the arms 4 extend parallel to the post 5 or by removing the pegs or pins which hold the arms 4 in securement to the bracket 32 or by doing both of these things.

Suitable locking means may be provided to lock the bracket 32 in the horizontal condition, in which it is capable of supporting the arms 4 in a manner such that they extend transversely to the post 5, and in the vertical position in which the bracket 32 is capable of support the arms 4 in a condition in which they extend parallel to the post 5.

It will be understood that the bracket 32 could be secured to the support member 3 in such a manner as to be fixed in a condition such that it extends transversely to the post 5.

In the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 6 the arms 4 are pivotable about pivots 40 relative to the post 5 between a condition in which they extend parallel to the post 5 such as is shown in Figure 6 and the further condition in which they extend transversely to the post 5 when it is desired to use the arms to support washing lines and hang washing on the lines.

In Figure 6 the washing lines 41 are shown wrapped around hooks 42. It will be understood that the hooks 42 provide could provide supports for the end of the washing lines when the washing lines 41 are extended between two support posts 5 but alternatively, the arms 4 could be provided with further attachment means for the washing lines 41 in addition to or alternative to the hooks 42. Suitable locking means is provided to lock the arms 4 at least in the condition in which the arms 4 extend transversely to the post 5. The arms 4 are provided with handles 43 for carriage, the arms 4 being detachable from the support member 3 when the arms 4 are not in use. In this way the washing lines 41 can be conveniently stored without removing the post 5 from the ground or from its support and the washing lines 41 are unlikely to be entangled when they are next required for use.

It will be understood that the arms 4 may be secured to the support member 3 in various other ways which permit of movement of the arms 4 relative thereto between "in use" and "stored" conditions.

Moreover it will be understood that, for example in the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 5, the arms 4 could be provided in permanent securement to the support member 3.

In the embodiment of the support shown in Figures 2 and 3 locking means could be provided so as releasably to lock the arms 4 in the "in use" condition. For example protrusions may be provided adjacent an upper end of the tongues 9 such that the arms 4, when moved from the "stored" condition to the condition shown in Figure 2 must be "snapped" passed the protrusions.

It will be understood that other suitable locking means could be provided according to the particular means by which the arms 4 are movably attached to the support member 3. It will be further understood that, if desired, and if necessary, securing means, additional to the locking means which could be provided to lock the arms 4 in the "in use" condition, could be provided to lock the arms 4 in the "stored" condition.

Moreover the arms 4 may be releasable from the support member 3 and may be stored separately therefrom, for example, the tongues 9 could be resiliently deformable so that the pins 11 could be disengaged from the holes 10.

It will also be understood that, whilst only two arms 4 are shown in the embodiments of the support shown in the drawings it is possible to provide a further arm or arms on the support I for example which may extend transverse to the axis of the other two arms such that a washing line or washing lines could be attached to the or each such further arm and to a third upright post which may itself provide a support 1. The or each further arm could be provided on the support I at a position which is vertically above or below the arms shown in the drawings or, alternatively at the same level relative to a base from which the post extends.

The arms 4 shown in Figure 2 and 3 are solid rods which provide apertures 15 which extend transversely therethrough. The apertures 15 permit of securing a washing line to the arms 4 in a manner such that the washing line will not move longitudinally of the arms 4. This is important in keeping the washing lines spaced apart.

The embodiments of the support shown in Figires 4, 5 and 6 provide hooks 42 only for attachment of the washing line.

It will be understood that, in the embodiments of the support shown in Figures 2 and 3, the apertures 15 may provide a means for attachment of hooks if this is desired rather than tying the washing line through the apertures 15. Moreover, if desired, hooks could be provided on the arms 4 instead of or in addition to apertures 15 and, indeed, any other suitable attachment means for the washing lines may be provided on the arms 4.

Additional or alternative attachment meands to the hooks 42 may also be provided in or on the arms 4 of the embodiments of the support shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 In an embodiment of the support in which hooks 42 are provided on the arms 4 it will be understood that, when the support is not in use, the washing line or lines could be wrapped around the hooks so as to store them in a compact and convenient way.

In an embodiment of the support I which includes arms 4 which provide apertures 15, the arms 4 could comprise nested rods and/or tubes which could telescope so as to lengthen the arms 4 in an "in use" condition and shorten the arms 4 when the support I is no longer required for use.

The number of attachment means such as apertures 15 which could be provided on the arms 4 will depend upon the number of washing lines required and the length of the arms 4 because of the need for adequate spacing of the lines for efficient airing. In Figure I each arm 4 is shown as providing two such attachment means so that a total of four washing lines extend between the two posts 5.

Because of the forces which are exerted on the arms 4 when washing is placed on the line it may be desirable to provide a bracing means to brace the arms so that they are not bent relative to one another and so that they are not bent in themselves.

The support member 3 and the arms 4 may be made from metal but it will be appreciated that other materials could be used instead.

In a still further embodiment of the support (not shown) the arms may extend through openings in the walls of the support member 3 and locate in brackets shaped to receive them which are provided on a flat ot substantially flat closed end of the support member.

The support according to the invention could be applied to a line prop in the midst of two permanent upright posts such as is shown in Figure 7 and moreover the support could lend itself to a different application in that if it were applied to small upright posts across a plot of cultivated ground it may be used to support a plurality of lines across such a plot and may be used to support small plants and/or to deter animals and birds from that plot of land.

This is sometimes desirable in plots of land where seeds have been sown or delicate plants are growing.

Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the support according to the invention which comprises a first portion 50 which is adapted, in use, partly to encircle an upright post 5 and to engage therewith in a condition in which movement of the support relative to the post is resisted. The support is adjusted and maintained in this first condition by means of a bolt 51 and nut 52, the bolt passing through loops within the support, which support comprises a single convoluted rod.

The first portion includes a convolution 55 which provides an eye to which may be secured an end of a washing line 2.

Second portions 54 of the rod comprise arms of the support and include at their ends further loops 54 through which may be passed washing lines 2.

Preferably the rod is resilient so that when the nut 52 and bolt 51 are loosened, the first portion 50 no longer engages the post 5 and the support as a whole can be moved up or down the post 5 or can be completely removed therefrom, the resilient bias of the support inclining the first portion to release from engagement with the post 5 when the nut 52 and bolt 51 are loosened.

It will be understood that an embodiment of the support such as shown in Figure 10 could be modified by the inclusion of further loops to support a further washing lines.

In Figure 11 a still further embodiment of the support is shown.

In this embodiment a U bolt 60 and nuts 61 engage an upright post 5 and retain an arm 4 in securement therewith. Arms of the bolt 60 pass through apertures 62 in the arm 4 to permit of securing the arm relative to the upright post 5.

Suitable means, e.g. through holes, are provided for securing washing lines 2 to the arm 4.

Simply by loosening the nuts 61 on the bolt 60 the support may be removed from the post 5 or re-positioned along the length thereof.

Figure 9 shows the use of an alternative embodiment of the support in relation to a conventional line prop. This embodiment is analogous to the embodiment of the support shown in Figure 8 except insofar as an arm 4 of the support is not adapted to be secured to the prop 70.

It will be understood that the arm 4 could be secured to the prop 70 or if desired means could be provided on the arm to adapt it for securement to the prop 70.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 9 the arm comprises a convoluted rod which provides a plurality of eyes 71 through which may be passed washing lines 2 such that the lines are maintained in mutually spaced apart relationship.

One of the lines 2, preferably the middle line, is supported by the prop 70 thus providing a simple means by which a plurality of lines may be held in tension suspended above a surface from which the prop 70 extends upright by the use of a single prop, which of itself affords means only to support one line.

A similar line spacing arm to that which is shown in Figure 9 is also shown in Figure 11 where, in analogy to the arm which is shown in Figure 9, it permits of assisting suspension of a plurality of lines above a surface with the use of a conventional line prop which, of itself, supports only one of the lines.

The arm 65 comprises a rod which provides a plurality of D rings through which are passed respective ones of the washing lines 2, the washing lines being tensed slightly by a bend imposed upon them by passing through the D rings. The use of the arm 65 in proximity to a conventional line prop serves to maintain all of the lines in a tension which is suitable for the support of considerable amounts of washing.

It is believed that the support according to the invention is advantageous over conventional supports which seek to increase the number of washing lines available to a user because the washing is more spread out and consequently drying is more efficient and because the washing line can be conveniently and compactly stored on the arms 4 when not in use.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

I. A support for supporting a washing line which support is capable of being secured to an upright post and comprises an arm which is adapted to extend transversely to the post.
2. A support according to Claim I which is adapted releasably to be secured to the post.
3. A support according to Claim I or Claim 2 which further comprises a support member which provides engagement means by which to engage the post and be secured thereto, and retaining means by which the support member retains the arm in securement thereto.
4. A support according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 in which the engagement means is adjustable between a first condition in which a part thereof engages a surface of the post and resists movement of the support member relative to the post, and a second condition in which said part thereof does not engage a surface of the post.
5. A support according to Claim 3 in which the support member comprises a cylindrical collar which may be fitted around part of the post.
6. A support according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 in which the collar is closed at one longitudinal end thereof to form a cap.
7. A support according to any one of Claims 4 to 6 in which the collar has apertures cut into a wall thereof which apertures extend from a longitudinal end of the collar and are of generally "L" shape so as to be engageable over lugs which may be provided by the post, by separate movements of the collar in two directions relative to the post, namely a first direction longitudinally of the post and a second direction about a longitudinal axis of the post.
8. A support according to Claim 7 when appendant to Claim 6 in which a resilient means is provided by the support member so as to resist movement of the collar in the first direction.
9. A support according to any one of Claims 3 to 8 in which the retaining means releasably retains the arm.
10. A support according to any one of the preceding claims in which the arm is movable relative to the support member between an "in use" condition in which it extends transversely to the post and a "stored" condition in which it extends substantially parallel to the post.
11. A support according to any one of the preceding claims in which the arm, when in the "in use" condition, extends beyond an outer longitudinally extending surface of the post, when in the "stored" condition, does not extend substantially beyond the longitudinally extending surface of the post..
12. A support according to Claim 10 or Claim II in which locking means are provided to releasably to lock the arm in the "in use" condition.
13. A support according to any one of Claims 10 to 12 in which securing means is provided releasably to secure the arm in the "stored" condition.
14. A support according to Claim 13 in which the locking means and the securing means are one and the same.
15. A support according to any one of the preceding Claims in which the arm is pivotable between the "in use" and "stored" conditions about an axis which is transverse a longitudinal axis of the arm and the longitudinal axis of the post.
16. A support according to Claim 15 in which the post is a hollow post and the arm, when in the "stored" condition, extends within the hollow interior of the post.
17. A support according to any one of the preceding claims in which the arm comprises nested rods which permit of telescoping such that the arm is adjustable for length.
18. A support according to any one of the preceding claims in which the arm provides, adjacent a longitudinal end thereof, a transversely extending pin and the support member provides, on an inner surface thereof, a bracket which extends longitudinally of the support member and provides therein an elongate aperture, the pin being engageable in the elongate aperture such that the arm is movable relative to the bracket.
19. A support according to any one of Claims I to 4 in which the support member comprises a U bolt and nuts, the engagement means comprising the bolt and the retaining means comprising the nuts.
20. A support according to Claim 19 in which the retaining means releasably retains the arm.
21. A support according to Claim I or Claim 2 which comprises a first portion adapted partly to encircle the post and engage therewith in a first condition in which movement thereof relative to the post is restisted, a second portion which comprises the arm, and a releasable fixing means by release of which the first portion is adjustable between the first condition and a second condition in which the first portion does not engage the post in a manner which resists movement of the first portion relative to the post.
22. A support according to Claim 21 in which the first portion is resilient.
23. A support according to Claim 22 in which, when the support is adjusted from the second condition to the first condition, the first portion is urged against its resilient bias.
24. A support according to any one of Claims 21 to 23 in which the second portion is resilient.
25. A support according to any one of Claims 21 to 24 which comprises a single convoluted rod.
26. A support according to any one of the preceding claims in which the post is secured relative to a surface from which it stands upright substantially so as not to move relative thereto.
27. A support according to any one of Claims I to 25 in which the post comprises a prop which is movable relative to a surface from which it stands upright.
28. A support according to Claim I for suspending the washing line and a further washing line above a surface from which the post stands upright, which comprises an arm adapted to maintain the washing lines in mutually spaced apart relationship, the arm being supported above the surface by one of the washing lines.
29. A support according to Claim 28 in which said one of the washing lines is suspended above the ground by the upright post or by a further upright post.
30. A support according to Claim 29 in which at least one of the upright post or the further upright post is a washing line prop.
31. A support according to any one of the preceding claims in which the arm provides attachment means for attaching a washing line thereto.
32. A support according to Claim 31 in which the attachment means comprises a bracket about which a washing line can be wound.
33. A support according to Claim 32 in which the attachment means comprises a hole extending transversely through the arm.
34. A support according to any one of the preceding claims in which the arm provides guide means to support the washing lines and to maintain them in mutually spaced apart relationship.
35. A support according to Claim 34 in which the washing lines are bent upon passing through the guide means.
36. A support according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises a further arm or arms analogous to the arm.
37. A support according to Claim 36 when appendant to Claim II in which each of the arms may be moved between the "in use" and "stored" conditions independently of the or each other arm.
38. A support substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
39. In combination, a post and a support for supporting a washing line, which support is capable of being secured to the post and comprises an arm which is adapted to extend transversely to the post.
40. A combination according to Claim 39 in which the support has the features of the support according to any one of Claims 2 to 38.
41. A combination substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
42. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.