GB2248179A

GB2248179A - Anti-slip device for a clothes line prop

Info

Publication number: GB2248179A
Application number: GB9020813A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Robert Mitchell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-09-25
Filing date: 1990-09-25
Publication date: 1992-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-25
Also published as: GB2248179B; GB9020813D0

Abstract

An anti-slip device for a clothes line prop (13) or the like, comprising a plate (10) having upstanding therefrom a supporting block (11) including a central slot (12) in which is located the base of the clothes line prop (13). Beneath the plate (10) are a number of spiked protrusions (14) to be pushed into the ground. The slot (12) assists in preventing the prop from falling to the side but permits it to rock two and fro in one plane to compensate for movements of the clothes line. In an alternative embodiment (Figure 2), the prop (23) is pivoted (at 22) to a post (21) attached to plate (20). <IMAGE>

Description

AN ANTISLIP DEVICE FOR A CLOTHES LINE PROP THIS INVENTION concerns an anti-slip device for a clothes line prop or the like. The device is intended to prevent a clothes line from slipping on wet or soft ground, and preferably also for preventing it from falling to the side.

It is well known that clothes props are subject to continuous movement in use as the clothes line itself moves, and this can result in the bottom of the prop slipping across wet or soft turf which in turn causes the top of the prop to become dislodged from the line so that the prop falls to the ground.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an anti-slip device for the clothes line prop or the like.

According to the present invention there is provided an anti-slip device for a clothes line prop or the like, comprising retaining means for the base of the prop, and at least one protrusion beneath said retaining means, for ground penetration, thus to prevent the base of the prop from slipping.

Two embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates one form of the device in use for the support of a clothes line prop; Fig. 2 illustrates another form of the device having a clothes line prop attached thereto.

Referring now to Fig. 1, in this example the device consists of a rectangular plate 10 having upstanding therefrom a supporting block 11 including a central slot 12 in which is located the base of the clothes line prop 13. Beneath the plate 10 at spaced intervals about the latter are a number of spiked protrusions 14 which, in use, are pushed into the ground to prevent the device from moving. Preferably, the slot 12 has upstanding parallel walls to assist in preventing the prop from falling to the side but permitting it to rock to and fro within the slot to compensate for movements of the clothes line.

The device may be moulded integrally from plastics or may be assembled by attaching together component parts made from, for example, alloy or wood.

Referring now to Fig. 2, in this embodiment a plate 20 has thereon a post 21 to the top of which is pivotally attached, at 22, a clothes line prop 23. Again, the spikes 24 are provided beneath the plate 20.

In this embodiment, the prop 23 is again permitted to rock to and fro about the pivotal axis at 22 and is prevented from falling to the side. Preferably, the pivotal point is provided by a bolt and wing nut whereby the device may be dismantled if required.

Again, as with the embodiment of Fig. 1, the entire device including the prop 23 may be made from metal, wood or plastics.

Preferably the dimensions of the device in plan are such that it shall be generally rectangular with a major axis in the direction of inclination of the prop thus to maximise its anti-slip characteristics whilst minimising the space occupied laterally on the ground.

Preferably, the depth of penetration of the spikes 14, 25 will be in the region of 1 to 3 centimetres, and the spikes may be approximately 8 in number.

Claims

1. An anti-slip device for a clothes line prop or the like, comprising retaining means for the base of the prop, and at least one protrusion beneath said retaining means, for ground penetration, thus to prevent the base of the prop from slipping.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein said retaining means comprises a plate having a central slot defined by upstanding parallel walls to assist in preventing the prop from falling to the side but permitting it to rock to and fro within the slot.

3. A device according to Claim 1, or Claim 2, wherein said retaining means comprises a plate having on its underside a plurality of spiked protrusions.

4. A device according to Claim 1, in which said retaining means comprises an upstanding member to which is pivotally attached the base of a clothes line prop, the pivotal axis being horizontal in use to enable the prop to rock to and fro about the pivotal axis whilst being prevented from falling to the side.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein said pivotal connection is by a bolt and wing nut whereby the device may be dismantled.

6. An anti-slip device for a clothes line prop or the like, according to any preceding claim, which is integrally moulded from plastics.

7. An anti-slip device for a clothes line prop or the like, according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the device is adapted to be assembled by attaching together component parts.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, which is generally rectangular in plan with a major axis in one direction to maximise its anti-slip characteristics whilst minimising the space occupied laterally on the ground.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one protrusion beneath the retaining means is in the form of a plurality of spikes having a depth of penetration in the region of 1 to 3cm.

10. An anti-slip device for a clothes line prop or the like, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.